Photos: Arizona vs. Stanford, NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship game
Stanford Cardinal defeated the Arizona Wildcats, 54-53, in the 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship game in San Antonio, Texas, on April 4, 2021.
Arizona, Stanford, 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship
From left to right Arizona Wildcats guard Aari McDonald (2), Stanford Cardinal guard Lexie Hull (12), Arizona Wildcats forward Trinity Baptiste (0), Stanford Cardinal forward Cameron Brink (22) and Arizona Wildcats forward Sam Thomas (14) make a move towards the ball in the second half during the NCAA Tournament National Championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 4, 2021. Stanford won 54-53.
Arizona, Stanford
Arizona Wildcats forward Lauren Ware (32) tries to grab the loose ball as Stanford Cardinal forward Cameron Brink (22) gets up and Arizona Wildcats guard Helena Pueyo (13) chses it in the second half during the NCAA Tournament National Championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 4, 2021. Stanford won 54-53.
Arizona, Stanford, 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship
The Arizona bench comes together to watch the seconds of the game against Stanford in the second half during the NCAA Tournament National Championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 4, 2021. Stanford won 54-53.
Arizona, Stanford
Arizona Wildcats guard Bendu Yeaney (23) and Arizona Wildcats guard Shaina Pellington (1) walk away from the huddle after Stanford wins the NCAA Tournament National Championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 4, 2021. Stanford won 54-53.
Arizona, Stanford, 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball National Chamionship
Arizona Wildcats guard Aari McDonald (2) is comforted as the Wildcats leave the floor after losing to Stanford in NCAA Tournament National Championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 4, 2021. Stanford won 54-53.
Arizona, Stanford, 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball National Chamionship
As the confetti falls Arizona forward Sam Thomas (14) and her teammates wave to fans after losing to Stanford in the NCAA Tournament championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio on April 4, 2021. Stanford won 54-53.
Arizona, Stanford, 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship
Arizona Wildcats forward Trinity Baptiste (0) passes the ball around the leg o fStanford Cardinal forward Cameron Brink (22) in the second half during the NCAA Tournament National Championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 4, 2021. Stanford won 54-53.
Arizona, Stanford, 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball National Chamionship
Stanford Cardinal forward Cameron Brink (22) gets her hands on the ball as Arizona Wildcats forward Cate Reese (25) tries to shoot in the second half during the NCAA Tournament National Championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 4, 2021. Stanford won 54-53.
Arizona, Stanford, 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball National Chamionship
in the first half during the NCAA Tournament National Championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 4, 2021.
Arizona, Stanford, 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball National Chamionship
Arizona Wildcats head coach Adia Barnes talks with Arizona Wildcats forward Trinity Baptiste (0) in the first half during the NCAA Tournament National Championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 4, 2021.
Arizona, Stanford, 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball National Chamionship
Arizona Wildcats guard Aari McDonald (2) eyes the basket as Stanford defenders watch in the first half during the NCAA Tournament National Championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 4, 2021.
Arizona, Stanford, 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball National Chamionship
Arizona Wildcats forward Cate Reese (25) tries to grab the ball from Stanford Cardinal forward Ashten Prechtel (11) in the first half during the NCAA Tournament National Championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 4, 2021.
NCAA Tournament National Championship: No. 3 Arizona vs. No. 1 Stanford
Arizona guard Aari McDonald, right, is met by Stanford defenders, including guard Haley Jones (30), in the second half of the NCAA Tournament championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio on April 4, 2021. Stanford won 54-53.
NCAA Tournament National Championship: No. 3 Arizona vs. No. 1 Stanford
Arizona Wildcats guard Aari McDonald (2) lays on the ground as Stanford Cardinal guard Lexie Hull (12) walks away in the second half during the NCAA Tournament National Championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 4, 2021. Stanford won 54-53.
Arizona, Stanford, 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball National Chamionship
Arizona and Stanford players each reach for the rebound in the first half during the NCAA Tournament National Championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 4, 2021.
NCAA Tournament National Championship: No. 3 Arizona vs. No. 1 Stanford
An Arizona fan stands for the National Anthem before the start of the NCAA Tournament National Championship game against Stanford at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 4, 2021. Stanford won 54-53.
Mamta Popat
Photojournalist
Aari McDonald led the Wildcats with 22 points, but Stanford made her work for them. Her last second-shot fell just short.
The UA will hold a welcome-back celebration Monday morning for the Arizona Wildcats' women's basketball team.
The Wildcats are disappointed, but not discouraged. Disappointed, but not devastated. There’s a big difference.
Editor's note: This story was originally published in May 2018. In 2017, Barnes was summoned to Texas, where she began to help a man she barely knew.
The Arizona Board of Regents agenda does not mention UA coach Sean Miller, whose contract expires in 13 months.
Barnes will coach under Dawn Staley, who — alongside Barnes — made this year's Final Four.
In 2021, between the men's and women's NCAA tournaments, Pac-12 schools picked up 28 wins. But the financial impact of those wins on the conference, in a financial sense, couldn’t be any different. On the men’s side, the Pac-12 brought home nearly $40 million. On the women’s side? $0.
If the best player in school history doesn’t take that shot in the final six seconds, then who does?
Koi Love joins Arizona after averaging a near double-double as a sophomore at Vanderbilt.
News and notes from the UA women's basketball beat, including news that three Wildcats will transfer.
On Wednesday afternoon, the UA announced that it had hired Cal's April Phillips and USC's Erin Grant to the women's basketball staff. They replace Tamika Augustin and Jackie Nared-Hariston. Augustin is headed to Mississippi State, and Nared-Hairston is expected to land at Oregon.
The new pay structure is a renegotiation of a contract extension that was agreed to in the days before the NCAA Tournament began in March.