Connecticut didn't go undefeated on the way to the 2003 Division I Women's Basketball Championship, but the Huskies accomplished more than their senior-led 2002 squad in the repeat feat.

Returning only one starter, though it was player-of-the-year Diana Taurasi, and playing without a single senior, the Huskies marched back to the title game with just one loss on the season. The Huskies culminated the campaign with a 73-68 win over Tennessee April 8 in the championship game of the Women's Final Four in Atlanta.

"To beat Tennessee and to win the national championship with this group is truly one of the more remarkable things that has ever happened," said Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma. "Maybe our players are a lot better than I thought, you know. Maybe they are tired of listening to 'we're too young, we're too inexperienced, we're not talented enough, we're not deep enough.' "

Taurasi lead the Huskies with 28 points, continuing her history of big performances against Tennessee. She's averaged 22 points against the Lady Vols in five previous meetings.

"I've never been around anyone (like Taurasi) who is just immune to the pressures of the moment and just lives in the moment and has such joy and passion for the game, and shows it on every possession," said Auriemma.

The junior averaged 26.1 points per game in the tournament and was named the most outstanding player.

Even though Connecticut had four starters in double figures, the Huskies had to stave off a late run by Tennessee, which had trailed by 13 with 6:11 remaining in the game. Senior Kara Lawson led the charge for the Lady Vols with seven straight points to cut the lead to six with 4:05 left.

A three-pointer by sophomore Brittany Jackson cut the Connecticut lead to 70-66 with 1:01 remaining. But two free throws by freshman Ann Strother sealed the Connecticut win with 20 seconds to go.

Rebounding helped Tennessee remain in the game, as the Lady Vols brought down 18 more boards than the Huskies. That is the third-highest rebound margin in a championship game.

"It was a very intense, tough, hard-fought game," said Tennessee head coach Pat Summitt. "I thought our team controlled the boards, which I thought was going to be a key to the game. Unfortunately, we couldn't make the shots they did."

Taurasi, who was perfect in eight trips to the free-throw line, was joined on the all-tournament team by Strother, who finished with 17 points. Tennessee's two seniors, Lawson, who had 18 points in her final game, and Gwen Jackson were joined on the team by Alana Beard from Duke.

It was the third time Connecticut had taken the title from Tennessee on the national stage (1995 and 2000 were the others). Connecticut is only the third team in history, besides Tennessee (1996-98) and Southern California (1983-84), to win back-to-back championships. The Huskies will return their entire roster for the 2003-04 season.

Tennessee advanced to its 10th championship game with a 66-56 win over Duke. Connecticut survived its semifinal game against Texas, 71-69.

SEMIFINALS

Tennessee 66, Duke 56

Tennessee: Gwen Jackson 7-13, 10-12, 15, 25; Shyra Ely 3-7, 0-0, 7, 6; Tasha Butts 1-6, 0-0, 1, 2; Kara Lawson 3-12, 2-2, 11, 8; Loree Moore 5-9, 1-2, 2, 11; LaToya Davis 0-0, 0-0, 1, 0; Shanna Zolman 0-1, 2-2, 0, 2; Brittany Jackson 3-4, 1-2, 1, 7; Ashley Robinson 2-5, 1-1, 3, 5. TOTALS: 24-57, 17-21, 41, 66.

Duke: Alana Beard 12-24, 4-5, 6, 29; Iciss Tillis 4-11, 0-0, 5, 9; Michele Matyasovsky 0-1, 0-0, 2, 0; Lindsey Harding 3-8, 0-0, 5, 6; Vicki Krapohl 0-1, 0-0, 0, 0; Mistie Bass 1-3, 0-0, 2, 2; Sheana Mosch 4-9, 1-1, 4, 10; Jessica Foley 0-2, 0-0, 1, 0; Wynter Whitley 0-2, 0-0, 2, 0. TOTALS: 24-61, 5-6, 30 (3 team), 56.

Halftime: Duke 29, Tennessee 27. Three-point field goals: Tennessee 1-9 (G. Jackson 1-3, Butts 0-2, Lawson 0-2, Moore 0-1, Zolman 0-1); Duke 3-9 (Beard 1-2, Tillis 1-2, Harding 0-1, Krapohl 0-1, Mosch 1-2, Foley 0-1). Disqualifications: Harding. Officials: Scott Yarbrough, Sally Bell, Joe Cunningham. Attendance: 28,210.

Connecticut 71, Texas 69

Texas: Kala Bowers 3-9, 2-3, 7, 8; Heather Schreiber 5-12, 0-0, 4, 13; Stacy Stephens 6-13, 4-7, 10, 16; Jamie Carey 5-10, 0-0, 2, 14; Tai Dillard 1-7, 0-0, 4, 2; Alisha Sare 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0; Nina Norman 5-8, 4-4, 2, 14; Annissa Hastings 1-3, 0-1, 3, 2. TOTALS: 26-62, 10-15, 35 (3 team), 69.

Connecticut: Diana Taurasi 10-22, 2-5, 4, 26; Barbara Turner 2-8, 3-3, 3, 7; Jessica Moore 5-9, 3-3, 6, 13; Maria Conlon 2-3, 3-4, 2, 8; Ann Strother 1-4, 1-2, 2, 4; Ashley Battle 1-5, 2-2, 2, 4; Willnett Crockett 4-5, 1-3, 10, 9. TOTALS: 25-56, 15-22, 37 (8 team), 71.

Halftime: Texas 35, Connecticut 33. Three-point field goals: Texas 7-17 (Bowers 0-2, Schreiber 3-5, Carey 4-7, Dillard 0-2, Norman 0-1); Connecticut 6-14 (Taurasi 4-11, Conlon 1-1, Strother 1-2). Disqualifications: none. Officials: June Courteau, Dee Kantner, Eric Larson. Attendance: 28,210.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Connecticut 73, Tennessee 68

Tennessee: Gwen Jackson 6-14, 3-6, 9, 15; Shyra Ely 3-6, 0-0, 2, 6; Tasha Butts 2-4, 0-0, 1, 4; Kara Lawson 5-13, 5-5, 5, 18; Loree Moore 2-4, 0-0, 2, 5; Shanna Zolman 0-0, 0-0, 2, 0; Brittany Jackson 4-10, 2-2, 5, 13; Ashley Robinson 1-2, 1-6, 8, 3; Courtney McDaniel 1-3, 0-0, 2, 2; Tye'sha Fluker 1-1, 0-0, 1, 2. TOTALS: 25-57, 11-19, 40 (3 team), 68.

Connecticut: Diana Taurasi 8-15, 8-8, 4, 28; Barbara Turner 5-7, 0-0, 1, 10; Jessica Moore 2-5, 0-0, 4, 4; Maria Conlon 3-7, 2-4, 4, 11; Ann Strother 6-11, 2-2, 3, 17; Ashley Battle 0-3, 0-0, 0, 0; Willnett Crockett 1-1, 1-2, 6, 3. TOTALS: 25-49, 13-16, 22, 73.

Halftime: Connecticut 35, Tennessee 30. Three-point field goals: Tennessee 7-18 (G. Jackson 0-2, Lawson 3-8, Moore 1-1, B. Jackson 3-7); Connecticut 10-21 (Taurasi 4-9, Conlon 3-5, Strother 3-7). Disqualifications: Crockett. Officials: Lisa Mattingly, Melissa Barlow, Wesley Dean. Attendance: 28,210.