The top-seeded UConn Huskies were the beneficiaries of a controversial non-call in a tight game against the second-seeded Baylor Lady Bears in the Elite Eight of the ongoing NCAA Tournament.
After gaining the narrow win to go to the Final Four, UConn head coach Geno Auriemma addressed the situation and used LeBron James as an example to shed light on the situation in crunch time after a reporter invoked the Los Angeles Lakers star's reaction to the play.
Here's the exchange:
"I don't think LeBron has ever won a game on a bad call by the other team, by the other officialsâŚI probably doubt that in his career he's ever won a game and decided to give it back because he looked at it and went 'that was a foul'" â Geno Auriemma pic.twitter.com/WIZVLxGTUc
â UConn on SNY (@SNYUConn) March 30, 2021
On Monday night, the Lady Bears found themselves trailing 68-67 with over 12 seconds left on the game clock against the Huskies. Baylor guard DiJonai Carrington took matters into her own hands and drove toward the baseline to put up a potential game-winning shot.
Carrington tried to overcome the outstretched arms of two Huskies defenders, who bothered her shot but seemingly also made contact. She felt that she was fouled after her attempt fell short and failed to hit the rim. The Huskies ultimately took home a 69-67 victory to advance to their 13th consecutive Final Four appearance.
UConn star Paige Bueckers exploded for 28 points and three rebounds, while Christyn Williams had 21 points and seven rebounds.
As mentioned, the four-time NBA MVP was also calling for a foul on Twitter in favor of the Lady Bears in the final moments of the game:
Cmon man!!! That was a FOUL!! #ncaaW Baylor vs UConn. đ¤Śđžââď¸
â LeBron James (@KingJames) March 30, 2021
Regardless of the controversy, Baylor coach Kim Mulkey and her players have to be kicking themselves for being in that position after taking a 10-point lead late in the third quarter. The Huskies went on a 19-0 run after that before holding on. After absorbing the tough loss, the Lady Bears ended an impressive campaign that saw them garner a 28-3 record in the 2020-21 season.
The Huskies will now head to a Final Four showdown against the third-seeded Arizona Wildcats, who came out with a 66-53 victory over the Indiana Hoosiers on Monday night.
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