UConn and UCLA punch tickets to women's Final Four

The road to the women's basketball championship just got more exciting as two elite programs secured their spots in the Final Four.

UConn defeated Notre Dame 70-52 on Sunday, marking the Huskies' 25th Final Four appearance and extending their winning streak to 54 games. The victory keeps alive UConn's hopes for a perfect season, which would be the program's seventh undefeated campaign.

The Irish didn't make it easy. Through three quarters, UConn had scored just 47 points, their lowest total at that stage during the entire winning streak. But the Huskies pulled away in the fourth quarter, outscoring Notre Dame 23-16 to secure the 18-point victory.

Freshman Blanca Quiñonez sparked the win with 20 points, including 12 in the opening quarter. Sarah Strong added 21 points and earned the regional's most outstanding player award. The bench stepped up in a big way, contributing 32 of the team's 70 points.

UCLA rallied from a halftime deficit to beat Duke 70-58, reaching its second straight Final Four. The Bruins turned the game around with a dominant third quarter, outscoring the Blue Devils 20-8.

Senior center Lauren Betts finished with 23 points and became the first UCLA player with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and five blocks in an Elite Eight game or later since Brittney Griner accomplished the feat in 2012. Her performance highlighted UCLA's identity as one of the nation's tallest and most physically imposing teams.

The Bruins dominated in the paint yet again, scoring 54 points inside against Duke. That marked their 26th game this season with at least 40 paint points, matching UConn and South Carolina for the most in Division I.

Why This Inspires

These games showcase the depth and talent in women's basketball at its highest level. UConn's ability to win even on a relatively quiet shooting day demonstrates championship resilience. UCLA's second-half adjustment shows the mental toughness required to compete for a national title.

Both teams survived tough tests from worthy opponents who refused to back down. Notre Dame had lost to UConn by 38 points earlier in the season but played them nearly even for three quarters. Duke pushed UCLA to find answers and dig deeper than they had all season.

Both powerhouses now head to Phoenix with championship dreams intact.