By BRETT MARTEL
By BRETT MARTEL
AP Sports Writer
NEW ORLEANS — Make that three straight upsets for Louisville, who used the latest thriller to head back to the women’s national championship game for the first time since 2009.
Antonita Slaughter scored 18 points on six 3-pointers and Louisville clawed back from a 10-point halftime deficit to defeat California 64-57 in the national semifinals Sunday. Bria Smith scored 17 on 6 of 7 shooting for the Cardinals (29-8), who were a No. 5 seed and became the first team seeded worse than fourth to win a Final Four game.
Layshia Clarendon scored 17 for Cal (32-4), which had won the Spokane Region as a second seed. Gennifer Brandon added 12 for the Golden Bears and Brittany Boyd added 10 points.
“Right now anything can happen,” Walz said. “Why not us?”
UConn 83
Notre Dame 65
Breanna Stewart scored 29 points to help UConn beat Notre Dame 83-65 on Sunday night to advance to the NCAA championship game.
The Huskies will face Louisville in the title game Tuesday night in an all-Big East final. UConn will be going for its eighth national championship to match Tennessee for the most in women’s basketball history.
The Huskies (34-4) and Irish had played three thrilling games this season, with Notre Dame coming out on top by margins of one point, two points and in triple overtime. This one wasn’t as close, ending the brilliant career of Notre Dame guard Skylar Diggins.
UConn built a 10-point halftime lead and Notre Dame (35-2) could only get within six in the second half, ending the Irish’s school record 30-game winning streak.