What. A. Game.
The UConn Huskies and Baylor Bears played a game for the ages in the 2021 women's NCAA tournament Elite Eight, with the Huskies just edging out the Bears 69-67. Even after a nearly even first half, it didn't look like it would be that close at one point, as Baylor pulled ahead by nine at the end of the third quarter. That was before Paige Bueckers & Co. took over, however, going on a 19-0 run to take the momentum back -- and prompting some excited reactions on Twitter.
This Paige πͺ£ got that thing π₯Ά
β Megan Rapinoe (@mPinoe) March 30, 2021
Paige Ice cold I see you π₯π₯π₯ ... Also Nice Defense by Aubrey πͺπΎ
β Swin Cash (@SwinCash) March 30, 2021
Yall watchin Paige Bueckers? I mean...Paige BUCKETS? Man...I mean...Girl,she is AMAZING
β Mychal Thompson (@champagnennuts) March 30, 2021
But that didn't end up being the story of this game. With time running out, Baylor's DiJonai Carrington -- who finished with 22 points on the night -- had a chance to take the lead, but her shot was blocked by Olivia Nelson-Ododa. The possibility that Carrington was fouled during the attempt was the hottest topic on social media as the Huskies huddled up for their victory dance.
Aaliyah Edwards gets a huge block on DiJonai Carrington to help UConn seal the win vs. Baylor and advance to the Final Four.
You can't swallow your whistle when the game is on the line. π€·π½ββοΈ film does not lie.
β dΞΉjonaΞΉ carrΞΉngΡonβ (@DijonaiVictoria) March 30, 2021
Cmon man!!! That was a FOUL!! #ncaaW Baylor vs UConn. π€¦πΎββοΈ
β LeBron James (@KingJames) March 30, 2021
When asked on the "controversial" no-call on Baylor's final possession, DiJonai Carrington said: "I personally don't see it as controversial call. I already saw it on the replay. One girl fouled me on my face and one girl fouled me on the arm."
β ESPN Women's Hoops (@ESPN_WomenHoop) March 30, 2021
Agreed it was some contact. Weird they don't call that one and call the two before. Seemed like similar takes https://t.co/XjYZloLKvM
β Skylar Diggins-Smith (@SkyDigg4) March 30, 2021
Y'all. Baylor just got robbed on that last possession.
β Amanda Zahui B. (@AmandaZahuiB) March 30, 2021
Well, that was kind of a nasty ending. That was definitely a foul against Carrington in the last possession.
β Kate Starbird (@katestarbird) March 30, 2021
Oooooo.... that was a foul... can't hit someone on the arm while shooting π³
β Layshia Clarendon (@Layshiac) March 30, 2021
Im pretty sure that was a foul. And when I say pretty sure, I'm π― sure it was a foul.
β Kristi Toliver (@KristiToliver) March 30, 2021
that's a foul lmao they walked up under home Gurl
β Natasha Cloud (@T_Cloud4) March 30, 2021
Even UConn coach Geno Auriemma's daughter had some thoughts about the ending ... although her conclusion about the game seems like something everyone can agree on.
That should've been a foul.
β Alysa Auriemma IS QUERYING (@AlysaAuriemma) March 30, 2021
This should've been the championship game man!
β Alysa Auriemma IS QUERYING (@AlysaAuriemma) March 30, 2021