Battle of unbeatens: UConn vs. Notre Dame for national title

April 06, 2014 9:00 pm • Last Updated: April 07, 2014 12:25 am

By Ned Griffen

Connecticut guard Bria Hartley (14) celebrates her basket against Stanford during the second half of the semifinal game in the Final Four of the NCAA women's college basketball tournament, Sunday, April 6, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn.

Nashville, Tenn. — Women's basketball will gets its dream matchup for the national championship, courtesy of rivals UConn and Notre Dame.

The two unbeatens and former Big East Conference rivals advanced to Tuesday's NCAA national final with easy victories Sunday night in the semifinals at Bridgestone Arena.

UConn (39-0) overcame a sluggish start to rout Stanford 75-56 while Notre Dame (37-0) jumped all over Maryland early en route to an 87-61 victory in Sunday night's first game. UConn beaten the Irish in last year's semifinals, Notre Dame's last loss.

The Huskies trailed Stanford 22-16 before going on a 12-0 run late in the first half to assume control.

UConn, trying to win its second straight national title and nine overall, had all five starters reach double figures with sophomore Breanna Stewart scoring 18 points, Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis 14, Bria Hartley 13 (and five assists), and Stefanie Dolson and Moriah Jefferson 10 apiece.

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UConn's Breanna Stewart (30) blocks a shot by Stanford forward Chiney Ogwumike during the first half of Sunday night's national semifinal game from Nashville, Tenn.

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