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UConn Women win tenth national title; Victory lap on campus at 5:15 pm

STORRS–The UConn Huskies fought for the title on Tuesday night in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament in Tampa, Florida, and they didn’t di...
geno win

STORRS--The UConn Huskies fought for the title on Tuesday night in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament in Tampa, Florida, and they didn't disappoint.

UConn defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for the team's 10th national title, and third in a row.

geno win

The game was a rematch from last year's title game, which ended with a win for the Huskies, 79-58. For 2015 the game was a bit closer--the Huskies won 63-53.

During the game a few players were on fire. Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis and Moriah Jefferson each scored 15 points, and coach Geno Auriemma made history, tying John Wooden for the most titles in college basketball.

Thousands of people turned out to watch the big match-up at the Gampel Pavilion in Storrs with other fans, and to cheer on the Huskies.

Before the game a hoard of fans waited at the doors before swarming in for seats to watch.

"It's a great feeling being able to be a part of this and to be in the front and being able to support our women," Megan Ceva, a UConn junior, said of the opportunity to bleed blue with fellow fans.

After the win, fans stormed the court and celebrated. The crowd then flooded into the central courtyard in campus chanting and cheering. For the most part, the celebrations seemed orderly. Police were out in force to keep the peace.

Ronalee Delisle, a member of the UConn class of 1970, agreed. "It's the camaraderie, it's supporting the teams. These kids work really, really hard to to be really good student athletes and it's just important to support your team," she said.

Even local politicians got in on the fun. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Sen. Chris Murphy made a friendly bet with Indiana Sen. Dan Coats and Sen. Joe Donnelly on who would win the game. The Connecticut Senators beg sweets from Munson's Chocolates, a local sweets shop, while Indiana's Senators wagered a basket of goods from South Bend Chocolate Co.

Some companies started celebrating early. Eight hours before the UConn win, Dunkin' Donuts in Connecticut tweeted out a special, just in case the team won:

Moe's Southwest Grill is also getting in on the fun. The Mexican chain is famous for its deals post-game, will be celebrating with $3 burritos.

The Huskies will arrive at Bradley around 3:45 p.m. There will be no public event at the airport.  The team returns to campus for a victory lap through campus around 5:15 p.m. They will be riding in an double decker bus with the UConn pep band and cheerleaders. The procession will start at Storrs Center, head north on Route 195, and turn on to Mansfield Road, then up Gilbert Road, turn on to Hillside past McMahon and the Coop and arrive at Gampel for a short ceremony.

You can follow the teams progress at @UConnWBB.

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