UConn routs Kentucky, heads to Final Four

Tiffany Hayes scored 22 points and top-seeded Connecticut beat Kentucky, 80-65, last night in Kingston, R.I., to advance to the Final Four for the fifth straight season.

Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis added 18 for UConn (33-4), which will play Notre Dame on Sunday in Denver. The Huskies matched their own school mark of five straight trips to the national semifinals. LSU and Stanford also have accomplished the feat.

Unlike their previous four trips to the regional finals, which were quick blowouts, the Huskies had to work hard to pull away from the Wildcats.

"We like to go to the Final Four every year," coach Geno Auriemma said. "I think we're also realistic; some years, it's going to be easier than others. Expectations are always there, regardless of the probability. This year was less than other years. Makes it more worthwhile. Last year, we went as a team led by Maya Moore. This year, there isn't any of that. The University of Connecticut is going to the Final Four and I think that's pretty cool once in a while."

UConn led 48-47 early in the second half before turning up its defense. The Huskies used a 21-4 spurt to take command. Hayes, the lone senior on the team, was the force, scoring seven points during the run. She got it started with a lay-in. Then the Huskies started a parade to the free-throw line, with whistle after whistle. The Huskies converted 12 free throws during the game-changing run.

Hayes was selected most outstanding player of the regional.

While the Huskies were scoring points, their vaunted defense stymied the Wildcats. Kentucky (28-7) torched UConn for 39 points in the first half, the most allowed this season by the Huskies.

Notre Dame 80, Maryland 49: Skylar Diggins had a triple-double and Notre Dame claimed its second straight berth in the national semifinals.

Diggins did it all for the top-seeded Fighting Irish (34-3) in Raleigh, N.C. The Big East player of the year and AP All-American finished with 22 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds and five steals. Natalie Achonwa added 18 points and Kayla McBride 16 and Natalie Novosel 14.

Next up for the Irish: Big East rival Connecticut. Alyssa Thomas scored 17 points and Tianna Hawkins and Alicia DeVaughn each had 10. Second-seeded Maryland (31-5) was denied its first Final Four since the Terrapins won the 2006 national title.

Hofstra's Evans honored

Hofstra junior forward Shante Evans was named an Associated Press honorable mention All-American. This marks the second consecutive season that Evans has earned All-American honors from The AP. A first-team All-Colonial Athletic Association selection, Evans led Hofstra in scoring (19.2 points per game), rebounding (10.5 rpg), field-goal percentage (.489) and blocked shots (28). She started all 31 games for the Pride and averaged 30.9 minutes. In the latest statistical rankings released by the NCAA, Evans ranked 24th nationally in scoring and 15th in rebounding.

Brittney Griner was a unanimous selection to the All-American team Tuesday, a day after leading the unbeaten Bears to their second Final Four in three seasons. She was joined on the squad by Stanford's Nnemkadi Ogwumike, Notre Dame's Diggins, Delaware's Elena Delle Donne and Maryland's Alyssa Thomas.

"That would be a very strong team," Griner said. "I feel sorry for anyone who would have to play us."