Arizona Wildcats forward Trinity Baptiste (0) and Arizona Wildcats guard Bendu Yeaney (23) guard UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) in the second half during the NCAA Tournament Final Four game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 2, 2021. Arizona won 69-59.
What a team, what a ride. The Arizona Wildcats are heading to the national championship game.
Arizona shocked top-seeded UConn 69-59 in Friday's national semifinal, will play Pac-12 foe Stanford in Sundayโs NCAA title game.
Hereโs how the Cats took down one of college basketballโs greatest programs:
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Aari McDonald, once again, was the best basketball player on the floor.McDonald scored 26 points, the fifth time this tournament sheโs had over 20 points, and was equally as impactful on the defensive end. Arizonaโs All-American point guard drained the gameโs first basket of the game โ a 3-pointer from the wing โ and it was on from there.
McDonald hit four 3-pointers in the first half as Arizona punched its way to an early double-digit lead. She was also instrumental in slowing down UConnโs Paige Bueckers, holding the AP Player of the Year to 5 of 13 field goals for the game.
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While McDonald jolted Arizonaโs offense, the Wildcatsโ defense stood tall on the other end.
The Huskies were held to 8 of 25 shooting in the first half as the Wildcats countered with 11 of 29 field goals, including six 3-pointers.
For the game, UConn shot 20 for 56 (36%) and made five 3s. Those figures were below Arizonaโs shooting which went 20 for 50 and knocked down seven 3s.
The graphic flashed on ESPNโs score ticker at 1:37 in the third quarter and even the TV broadcast team was stunned while reading it. The Wildcats had a 14-point lead with just under 12 minutes to go in the game.
UConn had never trailed this season by more than 13 points.
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Because of Bueckerโs early struggles, the Huskies relied on junior guard Christyn Williams.
The 2021 All-Big East First Team selection had a team-high 20 points but picked up her fifth foul with 3:51 left in the fourth quarter with the Huskies down nine.
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The most jaw-dropping stat of the night? UConn never led against the Wildcats. Arizona led for 39:19 in a wire-to-wire victory to clinch a spot in Sundayโs national championship; the rest of the time, it was tied.
Photos: No. 3 Arizona Wildcats beat No. 1 UConn Huskies in NCAA Tournament Final Four
NCAA Tournament Final Four: No. 3 seed Arizona vs. No. 1 seed UConn
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NCAA Tournament Final Four: No. 3 seed Arizona vs. No. 1 seed UConn
Updated
NCAA Tournament Final Four: No. 3 seed Arizona vs. No. 1 seed UConn
Updated
NCAA Tournament Final Four: No. 3 seed Arizona vs. No. 1 seed UConn
Updated
NCAA Tournament Final Four: No. 3 seed Arizona vs. No. 1 seed UConn
Updated
NCAA Tournament Final Four: No. 3 seed Arizona vs. No. 1 seed UConn
Updated
Arizona vs UConn, NCAA Tournament
Updated
Arizona vs UConn, NCAA Tournament
Updated
Arizona vs UConn, NCAA Tournament
Updated
Arizona vs UConn, NCAA Tournament
Updated
NCAA Tournament Final Four: No. 3 seed Arizona vs. No. 1 seed UConn
Updated
Arizona vs UConn, NCAA Tournament
Updated
Arizona vs UConn, NCAA Tournament
Updated
NCAA Tournament Final Four: No. 3 seed Arizona vs. No. 1 seed UConn
Updated
Arizona vs. UConn, NCAA Tournament
Updated
NCAA Tournament Final Four: No. 3 seed Arizona vs. No. 1 seed UConn
Alec has been with the Star since October 2019. He writes stories and produces digital content primarily about the Arizona Wildcats. Alec graduated from the University of Arizona in May 2020.