UConn beats Notre Dame for 10th NCAA women's national title

April 07, 2015 12:00 am • Last Updated: April 08, 2015 12:34 am

By Mike DiMauro
Day Assistant Sports Editor

m.dimauro@theday.com

The Connecticut team carries Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma off the court after the second half of the NCAA women's Final Four tournament college basketball championship game against Notre Dame, Tuesday, April 7, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. Connecticut won 63-53. (Tim Martin/The Day)
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Tampa, Fla. — Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis scored 15 points, including seven straight during the game's defining moment, as UConn won its third straight NCAA women's basketball championship Tuesday night with a 63-53 victory over Notre Dame.

It was also the 10th national title for UConn coach Geno Auriemma, tying legendary UCLA men's coach John Wooden for the most in college basketball history.

The Irish had clawed back to within six points at 56-50 with just over five minutes left and had a chance to make it a one possession game, but Jewell Loyd missed a short jumper and Mosqueda-Lewis came back and hit a clutch three to extend the lead to 59-50.

The senior came back to score the next four points, extending the lead to 13, and the celebration began moments later.

Point guard Moriah Jefferson also scored 15 points for the Huskies while Morgan Tuck had 12 and Breanna Stewart, though held to only eight points, had 15 rebounds and four blocked shots.

Connecticut players celebrate after the second half of the NCAA women's Final Four tournament college basketball championship game against Notre Dame, Tuesday, April 7, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. Connecticut won 63-53.(Chris O'Meara/AP Photo)

Connecticut forward Morgan Tuck (3) and Connecticut forward Breanna Stewart (30) and other players celebrate after the second half of the NCAA women's Final Four tournament college basketball championship game against Notre Dame, Tuesday, April 7, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. Connecticut won 63-53. (Chris O'Meara/AP Photo)

Hannah Huffman (24) of Notre Dame drives to the basket as Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (23) of UConn gets a hand on the ball in the first half of the NCAA Division I women's basketball championship, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla., Tuesday, April 7, 2015. (Tim Martin/The Day)
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Connecticut forward Breanna Stewart (30) falls to the court as Notre Dame forward Brianna Turner (11) looks on during the first half of the NCAA women's Final Four tournament college basketball championship game, Tuesday, April 7, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (Brynn Anderson/AP Photo)

Military personnel from MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla., comprising the Joint Communication Support Element on flag detail support a large U.S. flag during a National Anthem rehearsal prior to the beginning of the NCAA Division I women's basketball championship with UConn facing Notre Dame at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla., Tuesday, April 7, 2015.(Tim Martin/The Day)
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