Denver, CO – Baylor is 20 minutes away from the first 40-0 season in NCAA history, but the Lady Bears only lead the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 34-28 in the national title game after a seemingly one-sided first half.
The Lady Bears, carried by the Brittney Griner's nine points and eight rebounds, own a 25-17 advantage on the glass and led by as many as 14.
Odyssey Sims has scored eight points for Baylor, which trailed 9-8 four minutes in before scoring 12 of the next 13 points.
The Fighting Irish, playing in their second straight national final, went six minutes without a field goal, missing seven straight shots before a jumper by Kayla McBride and an NBA-range three-pointer by Big East Player of the Year Skylar Diggins gave the underdogs life.
But Diggins picked up her second foul shortly thereafter, and the Lady Bears scored nine quick points, going on top, 29-15.
Still, the Irish went on a 13-5 run over the last seven minutes despite starting center Devereaux Peters picking up her third foul during the spurt. Peters played just five minutes in the half.
Diggins has a team-high nine points for the Irish, who have been outscored 20-12 in the paint.
Baylor is trying to become seventh undefeated women's team to take home the title. Its only crown came in 2005, while Notre Dame's only championship came 11 years ago.
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