You started to get the sense that the Irish just didn't have quite enough. Had they finally run out of gas? It's so hard to play well after such a highly emotional win over UConn just two days before.
Early on, Notre Dame they struggled to find a flow offensively. Arike Ogunbowale went 1-10 from the field in the first half, Jackie Young was on the bench in foul trouble. Notre Dame scored three points in the second quarter… three.
Half way through the third, the Irish were down 15, but finished the quarter on a 16-1 run to tie the game going into the fourth. It was like a brand new game. This was a Notre Dame team who refused to roll over, one of the toughest teams we have had the opportunity to witness and they would will their way to the end.
With seconds remaining and the ball, the Irish had one last shot for the win. With 6-foot-7 Teaira McCowan fouled out, you could think Notre Dame may go inside to Jessica Shepard, who had been as consistent all tournament with her back to the basket. Instead, with a game winning shot against UConn under her belt less than 48 hours prior, Arike proved to be one of the most clutch women's basketball players we have ever seen with a fade away pull up on the baseline as time ran out for the win.
ICYMI: Arike Ogunbowale might be the most clutch person in sports right now. pic.twitter.com/8x3dWkkG0x
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 2, 2018
For the second time in program history, Notre Dame brought home a National Championship defeating Mississippi State 61-58. The second largest comeback in Final Four history and certainly one of the greatest we have ever seen.
How did they do it? They stayed the course, they didn't let missed shots rattle them on the defensive end of the floor. Great teams, trust that shots will eventually fall and rely on their defense to keep the game within reach and great players make great plays.
Beyond any stat I could analyze for you, this game and this team is far more than that. It came down to a belief, faith and toughness. Something that had begun long ago, preparing for this moment in a team that had overcome an immeasurable amount of adversity under one of the greatest coaches of our time.
This is one of the greatest coaches, greatest teams, greatest shots and one of the greatest stories we have ever seen in women's basketball.
