UConn vs Georgetown Big East Championship (w/Award Ceremony) - 3/11/24

[Applause] moments away from tip off a sellout crowd is ready at moan son Yukon in Georgetown for the Big East women's basketball championship let's welcome in the third member of our team tonight Kim Adams thank you John well unfortunately we will be without two stars in tonight's game for Yukon Aaliyah Edwards remains out with a broken no she suffered in the quarterfinal rounds of this tournament the plan is still to have her back for the NCAA tournament as for Georgetown they will be without the six Woman of the Year Briana Scott who suffered a lower extremity injury last night in the semifinals I spoke with georgetown's graceanne Bennett and Kelsey ransom they are thrilled to still have Briana on the bench with them they said she brings in energy and electricity and they are confident they will still hear her voice out there John thank you Kim ban Scott yesterday after going down with that injury late in the win over cron this was so powerful putting the name on the bracket it's been so many reasons that this Georgetown team has made it to this point and it's an individual like that the understanding that she still can add to this team and bring a passion that will help them perform on the floor let's get to our starting lineups their sponsored by Jeep there's only one and on the other side Sarah with Aaliyah Edwards still out for Yukon it means that ice Brady the five-star red shirt freshman is now getting her opportunity and and she's made the most of it it's not only how she's been able to understand her role how to fit in but the way in which she has had her conditioning up be able to play the amount of minutes the usage and perform how she has has been something very important for G Orma in this youon team our officials Joe vcil Tiara Cruz Katie lukanich Georgetown in the black Yukon in the white and it's out to Jenkins who's long on the three and that's where Yukon will test Georgetown if they can knock down perimeter shots they are a team that is predicated on their defense but they found ways to score against Craton the long stopping them Connecticut beat Marquette in the semis 58- 29 held the golden eagles scoreless in the final 15 minutes of the game on the shot clock there's ice bra there you go John nice touch that all began with the by KK Arnold that's going to be key against this Georgetown defense shift them rotate them they will give you different looks and Yukon is able to identify things quickly Georgetown beating a Katon team that entered at 24 and four yesterday 55 to 46 to get here and this is where towards the end of the shot clock the shift happened kind of moving it outside but it all started with the pen pettion by NA mule KK Arnold finding the quick look for Brady going to need a lot more of that as we now see some full core pressure here by [Applause] geown Beckers to Brady that was altered in a foul on one side of this matchup Darnell Haney the interim head coach of this Georgetown team certainly making a case to get that interim tag removed and become the permanent head coach taking over for Tasha bucks we'll tell you about that in a moment Gino Orma meanwhile the Hall of Famer one of only three with Tara V and Mike chesty with 12200 wins in icon of the game to think about where he's at what he's accomplished and what he still hopes to with this group and Darnell H it is a story book really season for this group but it's still not finished and that was a big part in talking with kelse Ransom and she said reflecting back we're not finished and so there's no reflection left yet we still feel like we have a lot of work to do their head coach Tasha Butz passing away from cancer in October and now they are here in the championship game playing for her as the Huskies give it back it goes back to Georgetown but to think that these young women Sarah of Georgetown 3 days before their season began were at a funeral mass for their fallen coach and then 3 days later we're playing they started the season 9- one first 20 plus win campaign in over a decade strength you see it and it's a reason why they are playing here right now 10 on the shot clock for Kelsey Ransom trying to thread Theo with Bennett it's a jump ball on the Arrow belongs to Yukon Big Time Collapse by Yukon in the the middle of the floor and George's going to want to pound it on the inside this is a beautiful entry pass and positioning by grayan Bennett but you see you got three white jerseys all collapsing in and for as much as we're talking about georgetown's defense because it is their strength you was exceptional at that end yesterday Becker's got a step delivering the dish and Brady has been plenty active early Brady has been active early putting her in good spots on the floor to move around but Ariel Jenkins is doing her best to protect the basket protect the rim and we're talking a lot about Darnell Haney he wasn't kidding about the suit jacket not lasting very long john Fanta I don't even think it lasted we're at 7:37 right now but I I I think at the 9 Minute mark it was it was already off he told his girls he had bought a suit to wear on Monday so before they left for the bigest tournament he said pack your bags long enough to be here till Monday and we better be there because I bought a suit that's fire and I want to wear on Monday night and here they are here he is and Su jacket off no quick and sparking his team early as shade comes down with it a husky started yesterday with seven unanswered paage Beckers automatically he she's looking for a foul call they finishing traffic but that shows her strength and ability to still play through that type of contact and George sound is physical youo orama knows that that is a big part of how they're going to want to play against this group now Brady with a deflection the Huskies on the Run M mule Yukon looks the part of the Champs time out Georgetown Moen Rises Paige Beckers the Big East player of the year and she has been showcasing it every time she stepped on the floor here at Mohan Sun you early 9 nothing lead here for the chip Georgetown has been powered by defense all season long and it's translating at the Big East tournaments well it and it's not just been very good it has been Elite with how they have been playing to look at the fact that this is their first Big East Tournament final appearance but how they had hold both of of kraton and St John's to quarter career season low in quarters both of these last two games and Katon I mean you look at what that game was and the high-powered offense that kraton possesses and the fact that Georgetown is able to do that on the defensive end in this moment so you look at the three Award winners here the co-defensive player of the year and Kelsey Ransom talked about the loss of Scott as the sixth Woman of the Year gray sand Bennett two-time sportsmanship Award winner doing so again this season right now it's the Huskies defense that has set the tone of this game and they get it back because of Brady's activity if you go back to yesterday's semifinal against Marquette to the start of this game Connecticut has not allowed a point in their last 18 minutes of game time it's extraordinary and you could tell how locked in how focused they are and I think you look at ice Brady what she's been able to do sometimes playing behind someone in a senior of Aaliyah Edwards status you feel like you're fing in now you understand the role that you have what is needed the responsibility and she has filled every part of that thus far Brady slashes in and Ice Brady has come to play replacing Aaliyah Edwards again tonight and it's the movement movement off the ball and she's got openings because of the threats that everyone else is on the floor this floor is litered with three-point shooters for Yukon and so because of that it allows for those lanes and [Music] spacing there's Maya B there's Beckers with the rejection it'll stay with the so watch this cutting action this is a great find the Quick Pass touch pass by ni mule but it starts with getting it to the second side Paige Becker's averaging 1.3 blocks per game as a perimeter player graan Bennett with the bucket for the hoyya to break up their drought and then Yukon gives it [Applause] back Grace and Bennett graduate player for for this Georgetown team such an important factor for how they've performed that's not just in the skill set but the leadership you can tell it when you speak to her catch and shoe three for Claude as an airball Darnell Haney called Grace and Bennett the heart and soul of this [Music] [Applause] operation here's Beckers combining for 56 points in the first first two Game Stops in her tracks here Arnold will they give her continuation they do and that's the challenging part for UK Yukon as you see the movement in trying to stay in front of your George Town look at KK Arnold that's a great screen set by Paige Beckers it forces the switch and it's all those little actions that there's a feel there's an understanding and there's a continuity with how Yukon plays and what allows some of those openings and then you've got players that have got the step got the burst to get to the basket Gino ARA said it to us earlier today Sarah he goes look we might be down to seven players but the expectation in our program is if we can field five on the floor there's no [Applause] excuses C off and that goes off of Bennett and obviously this is a sizable lead for Yukon out of the gates they came ready to go you see the sharpness the competitive nature and for Georgetown the hope is they get settled in a little bit so can you force some turnovers can you find your way to some easy baskets there hasn't been a lot of that and for a team that's not a great perimeter shooting team and Yukon understands that that is a part of the Scout the game plan discipline of forcing those shots packing the pain if you find your way to some easier ones and things don't look quite at Bleak here early on I think ge's going to settle themselves in because they are a Fearless team that deserves to be here that just cut she never sto moving she'll go in the line for two so similar to what we see with Aaliyah Edwards the ability to have your big facilitate right out the top and Paige Becker's turning the corner Georgetown trying to Trail her you've always got to be cognizant of her ability to take three-point shot work some of those handoffs and Yukon just does such a good job of veing up the places and the spaces that they had different individuals on the floor they are are very strategic on where they put players and why you've had Paige Becker some this season you've seen Caitlyn Clark and have had her on Fox throughout the year what is unique about Paige's skill set I I think to all of these players they're all unique and I'm not the one that loves comparisons at all but I I think when you look at Paige and how she's able to impact a game on the defensive end it it there is few things like that there's Kelsey Ransom from downtown Big Shot big three for George because she she makes reads and she anticipates and sees things ahead of time in ways that most players do not and we talk about that on the offensive side you've seen her transition passing and her passing in the half court she is very selective and smart about the shots that she just takes that's why she so highly efficient from the field and from three Bennett from the elbow back to back makes for the Hoya and here you go the Hoya again settling in and that's a part of it we mention this is the first time in program history being here and it it's one thing to to Really step up into the moment the pr it takes a couple minutes to get yourself settled in a place where Yukon is so [Applause] comfortable M mu cat that's been the game changer this season ni mu shooting 41% from three at every position on the perimeter you've got players that can stretch out and also can attack the basket this is some deadly combinations that are tough to match up against it'll stay with the Hoya with eight on the shot [Applause] clock kelse Ransom a big one here doesn't take a ton of three-point shots still an area working for efficiency but that one was much needed there you go with Bennett just squaring up facing up shot clock at three Ben Bri she's got that 15 foot game and that's where a lot of the bread and butter is for Georgetown they like to get to the basket they work the post play but they're very good in the midrange so if they find some of those Pockets that will be advantageous for them trying to find ways to score [Applause] catch and shoot for KK Arnold in and out ice Brady's on the offensive glass and Brady is playing with poise down there playing with poise aggressive she's been bouncy she's moving so well and working the inside position let's send it back over to Kim Adams well John and Sarah we've been talking to Gino Orma throughout the weekend about ice Brady he said so the most impressive thing is the stamina she's been able to play he said normally she can't even go 40 minutes in practice she gave them the full 40 minutes yesterday in the semi-final she only averaged about 15 minutes per game coming into the tournament and just he spoke so highly about her passing ability her ability to be a willing screener he likes her shooting ability he said she shoots the heck out of the ball in practice so we are starting to see that translate into the game she sure looks extremely confident here in this Championship setting Kim nailed it in everything she said we've already seen examples of the passing off the top the shooting stroke he's got a beautiful one and a consistency and see that go through even with range and overall I mean stamina there there is nothing that can replicate a game and then there is nothing that can replicate when you get into the postseason this type of conference tournament play eventually NCAA tournament play Paige Beckers another swipe Gina orama told us she doesn't get enough credit for who she is defensively that one off EXA but it's a quick hand eye coordination quickness the reads again she just she does a great job and being a step ahead and knowing what's next on each play for opponents Claude and mule going down hard with Claud fighting for it it goes back to the Huskies [Music] [Applause] [Music] you said Yukon is comfortable in this building the huskys all time at mohagen Sun 40 and one W pretty big numbers they're almost as popular as you are in here John Fanta I can't walk anywhere with you because stop left and right selfies autographs well thank you biggest celebrity on the Block no no that would be Gino or Paige oh no they got some competition backers is fouled and one she just responded with I'm the most popular human in this building she's like that joke isn't even funny oh that's bad she is cold gets fouled opportunity for a four-point play her teammate Nic mule coming through in this team not only are they focus not only has there been attention to detail but you could tell they're having fun playing with one another and Georgetown on this big East tournament run wins over Xavier St John's and craden the most points they allowed in a quarter in this tournament [Applause] 14 different monster tonight [Applause] [Music] [Applause] shot clock at eight down to six pull up Jay is long and mule with the [Applause] [Music] rebound here's Arnold with the kick Ashlin shade extra pass it's poetry in motion from the Huskies with eight it's Ransom to b b with a silencer three seconds here for Beckers Beckers from half court as close to perfect as it could get for the reigning Champions to start and they are playing through the past the ball has been popping and Yukon has got it rocking here at Mohan Sun we are in for a big East Champion first quarter's over youon up 17 welcome back to Mohan son Connecticut up 17 on Georgetown after one and as much as the Husky scored 28 this defense has been Relentless they got after it stayed in front of their own and they did a good job with help collapsing on the inside they understand that what George count wants to do is penetrate and get it in the post and they have been Scrappy pressuring the perimeter on the ball in passing lanes and you see it right here geown has had a really difficult time trying to get the ball to where they want to go and when they do they are smothering the basketball working through screens I mean this has just been a display in particular we're talking about Paige Becker's the Big East Player of the Year and she's such an impactful part of that a couple blocks here some Steals and the defense has generated a lot of early looks on on the offensive side we get to sit in on these team shoot rounds when you sit in on a Yukon shoot around what do you see I see just again attention to detail is the thing that always stands out to me what Gino sees what the coaching staff sees everyone of his players attentive to what they're trying to do running through their own stuff running through the opponent things this is why Fant I know you you tease me and everyone that we work with I I don't say a word during shooter rounds I I am one of I don't want I don't want a coach I don't want G Turn start yelling at me for talking well they're going through their Scout our great producer Carol Langley said speak up I can't hear you I said uh Beckers can't hit the first one but bounces right back and she's already got 10 and that's for Georgetown some of the little things and just the narrow margin of error against this team taking care of the basketball taking care of the glass giving up looks like that being really smart about getting back in transition a part of that two your shot [Applause] selection with eight it's Ransom their leader with four Kelsey Ransom driving down to two it's at one shot clock violation this Huskies defense keep soaring I said it earlier it you focus so much about some of the strengths of Yukon and how they can attack you offensively the shooters that they have Playmakers creators bigs obviously very undermanned given some of the key players that they are missing but it's the defensive end that's a separator for them in this conference in this game thus far and as they have played through the course of the Big E tournament and right now you have two freshman and a red shirt freshman as part of that defensive effort there's a lot of Youth but as coach Orma told us the standard here Remains the Same no matter what Clash you're in Shan the Big East freshman of the year as Shan and you said it's youth but it's a mix of Youth and Veterans when you have the presence of players like a niika mule and like a Paige Becker's to then play alongside shade and Arnold and Brady you better you better fit in you better fit in and understand your role and know exactly what you need to do cuz that's the way things work top to bottom for this group and again the same this Georgetown team they have been tremendous this is a very big challenge but I do believe if they just continue to settle in here starting on this defensive end try and find your way to some steals some picks some easier points to see it go through Paige buckets already 133 [Music] [Applause] [Music] talk about this Georgetown team entering tonight winning seven in a row for the first time in seven years Rivera is off mule pulling it down the possession arrow with Connecticut Paige Beckers is just pouring it on look at how deep she is perfection in the rotation good little dribble handoff from Nik mule to get that going again how Yukon just flows into their sets into their actions the placement on the floor they are in sync and connected in where they need to be winners of eight straight are the Huskies coming into tonight have not lost since that game at South Carolina in February [Applause] Arnold with six on the shot clock that's picked off by Ben there's that Hoya defense B and again that's trying to get an easy basket that's where it starts can you shoot some gaps can you pressure the ball this Yukon team not one that's going to turn it over and give it up easy so that that's easier for me to say than actually do but it it's opportunities like that to try and get yourself going a little bit to your point that's been what the Huskies have corrected as this tournament's gone on Arnold switches it home she's got a pair of triples and so think about how many different players we have said knocking down shots and that's where the challenge lies it's a pick your poison of how you're trying to help where you're trying to be the rotations what those look like because of every spot on the floor you have a threat and with this four guard lineup they can run back oh the Huskies are an avalanche and Darnell Haney's trying to stop this Powerhouse there's nothing stopping him right now we're watching the greatness of Paige Beckers right now we said this earlier two time biggie player the year she came in as a freshman was not only the national player of the year biggest player of the year you look at among the name like mayam Moore and others 28 points per game in this big East tournament 10 and a half rebounds leading the Yukon huskies and leading those playing here in the Big East tournament and to think about coming back from the injuries she dealt with really this being the first year coming back and what she was able to do the Comfort level not only that she has found for herself on the floor but elevating the level of her teammates go through the list of of the players that Yukon has been missing throughout the course of the Season even going back to the preseason and again it's it's for this Yukon team the expectations don't change and Paige Beckers is a big part of continuing to just set the tone for that that's an answer that the Hoya needed out of the timeout Yasmin [Music] at you think about it this way St John scored 44 the whole game against this Georgetown defense crad and 46 yukon's already sitting at 42 and not even 15 minutes catch and shoot that one short for cow and this is the tough part with Georg toown when you're missing shots it allows youon to get out and run get into their offense early you're forced to not always have your half court defense set as much as you would like and that's something that was a little different in that George game Beckers gets her own miss the give to ice Brady 11 for Brady and it's not just any Georgetown defense they're sixth in the country in scoring D just over 503 points per game allowed benett is fou and there's a handful of things at play won a Big E tournament title MH and Yukon though understanding what this means for future postseason hopes NCAA tournament what that looks like in the possibilities of seating which I know we'll get into later throughout this game them clicking at the right time of year and also knowing what it means to step on the stage of a championship and we talked about that in the open and there is something to be said for players who have been here before expect to be here and that does not waver regardless John fanis saraka Kim Adams with you from moan Sun Connecticut seeking a 22nd Big East tournament Crown tonight Beckers had that rejected by [Applause] Jenkins catch and shoot for po she came up big yesterday she did she hit some early first half three point shots that were integral in helping Georgetown to get that halftime lead just really timely baskets they going to need more of that NE travels cow had spent three years at Wagner and over a th000 points in her career coming up on the Jeep halftime report we'll look at highlights from this game and preview the men's Big East tournament the garden going to be in John Fant I know you're going to be there it's ready yeah talk about some fun story lines o can't wait I'm going be locked in now Huskies men the number one seed Georgetown men will be in action Wednesday against Providence that has some appetite to it that one Falls for Jenkins and the Hoya have hit three straight shots and there you [Applause] go and Georgetown stringing together their best couple of minutes we've seen in this game thus far and you can't look at the score you can't worry about the deficit if you're Georgetown Ransom is fouled as simple as it sounds it it is just possession by possession because at this point you can't think about trying to cut into the slead with the way that Yukon is playing you hope at some point some of that hot shooting May wear down just a little bit for Yukon and maybe some of the shots start to go through if you're Georgetown it in what they want to play is a more half court game slow the game down and that's something that I think the more if they make some shots get to the free throw line they may be able to do we got a chance to catch up with Kelsey Ransom this morning what impressed you what's stood out to the most meaning this individual it it is The Moxy the grit she brings to the table the grace that she has the the understanding of what this moment means what the season means the leader she is for a team and she's extraordinary indiv and human to begin with let alone player now a who has not played much in this tournament gets fouled and Georgetown has scored eight unanswered in 90 seconds and she said something I love she had a lot of psych major and you can understand why think she's going to help a lot of people in the future um but she was talking about defensively in the challenge against Yukon and what you do communicating defensively and ask about how they switch things up in just the sophistication of a lot of things that they try to do and she said we're not we're not always right but she said if if we're all wrong then we're going to be right together cuz we're always communicating we're always talking we're always going to try and find a way to figure it out that's what the Hoya have shown throughout this tournament throughout this season but staying together and and problem solving navigating things collectively as a unit and that's going to be the test here closing out not only this first half but when they step into that second half seven on the shot clock for Connecticut Brady had that deflected down to three Arnold has to Heath and this Georgetown defense has come to life in a 90 run get a little bit of a burst and feel good going in to the locker that's what it's all about there are swings in a game there's runs of momentum Georgetown is is trying to grab one [Music] here Ransom little out of control here another tie up the possession arrow with Georgetown we talked about this Hoya program playing all season for Tasha buts with the Tasha tough on their Jersey Darnell Haney told us Tasha toughness is about being gritty but also being stubborn in a game ignoring that scoreboard as you just mentioned and Georgetown on a 90 run gin Orma would like to talk in that part of it too because both of these coaches both of these teams it it's understanding that there's still a lot of time left in this game so what does that look like and you keep mentioning some of the players that have been impactful for Yukon to have this lead and missing Aaliyah Edwards tonight's game yesterday's game certainly a major factor for Yukon but how impressive has ice Brady Ben the red shirt freshman 63 out of San Diego and just showcasing wor the Finesse the quickness the strength she presents understanding where to be and how to move in the wake of her teammates and whether it's on the defensive end to see how she's working using the footwork and also just running the floor and to have a player with that size frame physicality but also good feel and understanding is something that's been fun to watch and also good touch on her shot Ransom foul and gin Oriana is fired up [Applause] [Music] it's on Kaden [Applause] Samuels yeah not sure about that it's tough call and tell if she got an arm or reaching in some but was trying to move her feet get out of the way it looked like there was a lot of ball off that play a 100 run for Georgetown over the last two and a half [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] minutes shot clock at 10 it's at seven Brady to Arnold Arnold with two Arnold with the Euro got her own Miss can't stick it back and Georgetown has been Ted in particular on Arnold grome he short even little things though the last play there was an over to the top pass that Beckers had earlier on Ransom Ransom did a great job denial off that play play it it it feels like George's having a better understanding of some of the set some of the actions and how they're trying to defend them 10 on the shot clock here Yuko for the last five Beckers with 16 in this first half down to two and another giveaway by the Huskies their fifth this is what goes back to this morning when Gino Orma told us look with where we stand with how they can settle into a game defensively we better get off to a nice start and and that's a big part one having a lead is forcing a team to play faster that doesn't really want to in playing catchup and also one that zo mentioned some struggles from the perimeter shooting so it's not quite as easy to cut into those deficits quickly Beckers to the deck possession arrow with Yukon the Husky started this game folks with 11 straight points it makes started lights out from the three-point line that was collectively from everyone on the floor get it it's balanced out some some of their misses again Georgetown I'm very impressed with their composure their Poise and you would anticipate that that once they get settled into the game the environment and understanding of how Yukon wants to play is it's been a much better showing here in the second quarter you don't get here without po they beat a Katon team that was 25 and four before yesterday's [Applause] game they kick it out to shade ashin shade their eighth triple but there's the example everyone's so worried about Beckers and cut to the basket in the empty Baseline that you have the defense sucks in it opens up that perimeter look for shade 8 seconds here for Jenkins she turned it over Arnold with four Arnold with two to shade and the Huskies are up by 22 at the [Applause] break Connecticut drills eight triples Paige Beckers with 16 ice Brady with 11 and it's not just been about their points it's about the intensity they've shown defensively Kim is with G Orma thanks John coach I know the offense stalled there for a few minutes but when things were going well what do you need to get back to against this strong Georgetown defense well we need to keep them off the free throw line you know um we were attacking them in transition it's hard to get transition buckets when you know we're putting them on the free throw line well somebody's putting them on the free throw line so um I think we got to get back to that we got to get back to our movement it's that it's natural for us to to have that happen cuz we get a little bit tired you know and we don't move as well uh but they're a really good defensive team so you know for us to get 47 in the first half I'm pretty happy with that and Paige is doing Paige things but you've gotten 11 points and five rebounds from Ice Brady what has impressed you about her performance in this expanded role well you know uh you she always had it in her I think but we never quite knew for sure so now we just got to hold on for another 20 minutes and hope she's got you know it's like the gas tank you know when it goes you you you have no idea exactly how many miles you got left so we're going to find out all right we'll be waiting to see thanks coach and say that the gas tank is filled up enough tonight's first half star stats comparison and sponsored by Jeep there's only one and it's not just about the numbers in terms of points but the efficiency five of 11 for Paige Beckers three of four for ice Brady both playing the entirety of that first half and these two have been the key but also it's been a collective effort by all of these Huskies that set on the floor Connecticut 25 and one this season when they lead at the half and they have an allamerican the Unstoppable Paige Beckers star studded and Stellar Georgetown trying to spark something here in the third quarter with Yukon up by 20 let's rejoin the third member of our team Kim Adams thank you John well I just caught up with Georgetown head coach Darnell Haney he was locked in like we always hearing him talk to his players about just a couple notes he talked to his group about at the half he said we have to continue to attack we have to get to the free throw line and get points when the clock is stopped and his final message to them was we have to be ready to shoot the ball in our opportunities when it comes to us John so we will see what type of response the ho has come out with after an inspired last couple minutes of the half there and that's great putting it together Kim because that's a big part for Georgetown of how they're going to be able to generate a little bit of offense we heard Gino talk to you going into the halftime locker room about the free throw line and obviously that's a big part for Darnell Haney in his group attacking getting to the basket trying to find some of those driving Lanes penetration whether it is the free throw line they're finding their way to some layups it'll be a big part of moving this youon defense around georget toown was able to go on a 10 nothing run near the end of the first half they look for Bennett but they give it away in that first half 14 points off turnovers for Yukon so if for as much as we're talking about Georgetown if they can try and manufacture that that's exactly what the Huskies are doing ball protection will be important for the hoest story in the first half for Yukon eight for 15 from three Ransom stuff [Applause] mule Big Time play Here by Ransom and you see the Fall by mule but it felt like mule was the one initia contact early on and Ransom has come out ready to play you see the instincts getting in passing Lanes blocking ability she's got quickness length and good physicality that's why she was big he's co- Defensive Player of the Year with Villanova's Christina dosi Beckers versus Ransom greatness versus greatness and Beckers is foul that's though an example Becker has got so much even at the end of her dribble and for a player that is decisive and where she wants to get to on the floor she doesn't get sped up so you see ransom's doing everything she can to blanket her and make it tough for her to get to her spot but even once Becker does she's got the length the strength to still make a play G Orma talked about Paige Beckers this past week when she was named bigie Player of the Year and Scholar athlete of the year and G just said never sees us to amazing how she fits everything into a day the ultimate student athlete he said her parents were most proud of that scholar athlete of the Year honor all while doing this on the court Sarah a 3.9 GPA impressive impressive impressive stuff now a Zone from the Huskies all over [Music] [Applause] [Music] that backers is short this time but shade picks it up beers tries again and two misses on this trip [Applause] Yasmin starting the second half for Georgetown after injecting energy late in the first really nice job on the defensive side her ability to pressure the [Music] basketball Ho battle for the board this time and it belongs to Connecticut here's the hardware collectors for the Huskies yeah pretty much says it all I mean this is a Yukon Huskies team 18-0 in the Big East coach of the year for Gino ARA and you think about the players that they are missing this season sitting on the bench in their sweatsuits got a bloody nose for Beckers they do you said it down to seven available players Ashlin shade there the Freshman of the year it was not designed for her to play this big of a role and she has see yeah Paige gets smacked across the face by Ransom they've got some floor cleanup Duty with the blood here that's what they're waiting on Beckers not only doing all of this but using her name image and likeness money to give back to the community she's taken up numerous volunteer initiatives as well giving back to her native Minnesota the huskys played in Minnesota earlier this year in a game in a game you saw here on FS1 and you can sense how much she loves her Roots it's why she gives back to local food pantries to a grocery store in her native Minnesota and with her teammate Aaliyah Edwards watching she is stepped up while Edwards is out with her nose injury I think let's send it over to Kim well not much of an X's and O's here John but Ali Edwards Paige Becker's definitely sharing a little laugh there that the nose plug sisters for the week and Paige was over here wondering why the officials weren't looking at that play she felt there may have been a little something extra there but we've seen a couple of those this week for the Huskies officials not taking a look right now they're just focused on dealing with the [Applause] blood and nose plug in for Beckers who is led the way and Darnell Haney meanwhile using this opportunity it's it's amazing this man's intensity with his team he looks like he could be playing out there with but that's what's gotten them to this point and even us getting a chance to speak with them pregame and and just to talk about what has gotten them here in yes X's Nos and schemes and your game plan and what you're going to get ready for but he understands the championship comes down to a lot more than just that the intangibles that we have seen the Hoya show up with each and every night he was a high school coach just 11 years ago Brady from mule once again getting herur on the move where she's coming out on the floor you got to stay attached in some capacity to these three-point Shooters and we said Georgetown fourth game in four nights and so with the style of play by Yukon fast physical you got to wonder to at what point some of that fatigue sets in four on the shot clock not looking for benett and there is Brady have a whistle here and a double dribble is called on [Applause] Arnold yeah seems like right there she just picks it up puts two hands on it Joe filli Tiara Cruz Katy lukanich these are final four officials on this game [Music] [Applause] tonight hry the SE Hall transfer trft able to keep [Music] it into Ben B Becker altered that and then Brady punched it out shot clock didn't reset because the ball never hit the rim it's down to seven Ransom to Bennett benett with three over Brady really nice patience the entry pass by Ransom the footwork and movement by Bennett Ransom easily could have gotten Rush there as the shot clock was winding down like the methodical na that they played with to make that play happen and now a steal by Ransom Kelsey Ransom the Hoya Leaders with backto back [Applause] buckets [Applause] [Music] Beckers off the dribble Paige Beckers has 20 that's tough Ransom is doing everything she can to stay in front she's got the quickness to be ready for that step back trying to come back out and contest this just a tough shot Ransom can't hit Beckers with their 23rd game of the season with 20 plus points nine on the last 10 Beckers again Arnold with the offensive board now peckers with a dime to shade bodies to the floor you've got three of them and a foul it'll go back to Georgetown the senior Kelsey Ransom is doing everything she can to try and keep George town in this one beautiful entry pass to the inside to her teammate and Bennett this time the quick steal little cross finished at the other end trying to generate some offense out of that defense she's also she's had a couple nice shots and plays that she's created that haven't gone down but you could tell that she's being really aggressive here on the offensive side all right part of History Ransom Bennett and the Hoya this is the first time this program has ever been in the Big East women's basketball championship game Maya B with five the kick to the corner Becker's got a piece of that it's down to one and that Yukon Defense Forces another shot clock violation and what they're able to do I've mentioned this earlier because Georgetown isn't a highly effective three-point shooting team they are boxes and elbows so the amount of of help they can provide and really sag in and be there it doesn't give a lot of openings for post entry passes for penetration if they do it always as a wall or showing bodies and that makes it really tough on Georgetown because they're not knocking down three-point shots to stretch you out and it's not really their game Arnold with an extra pass to shade in and out by the way Beckers four blocks tonight she's up to a husky best 46 on the [Applause] year catching shoe for Bennett long and Yukon has a wide open Lane here shade with some help from Arnold she missed the bunny loose ball and back to the HOAs leading us to a timeout Big East championship game bodes to the hardwood and Yukon up big Jonathan the Ki is Happy Yukon up by 24 for Georgetown their leaders graceanne Bennett Kelsey Ransom putting together a recent run well and graceanne Bennett has done a really nice job and how she's cutting and moving without the basketball that's where she's at her best working with her back to the basket facing up against ice Brady who provides a very challenging and tough defense and you see it right here the Twan game between both and Ransom has proven to be effective in a variety of places they're going to need more of it but thus far here in this third quarter it's been some nice chemistry between those two players that we see often it is amazing that this team is here in this game tonight again pre-season number 10 in the Big East coaches poll preseason number 10 pick first ever championship appearance Samuels with an air ball and you lose your head coach to cancer in October that type of adversity that as Darnell Haney said that the mental health battle with that for his kids to have to cope with it but he said it just made us stronger we thought of Tasha the whole time Tasha buts who played for Pat Summit AT Tennessee and was so tough they are shining lights of part of the Legacy that she has left and you can see it in the tenacity that they show up with and the grace that they are off the court as well G on the shot clock Bennett with a head of steam and she'll go to the line for a pair foul by mu and that's something that Kim Adams was hearing Darnell Haney telling his girls through some of these timeout huddles of of penetrating attacking more trying to drive more and as we metion it has not been easy against this Yukon defense they have been Stout they've been quick to help they've been packing it in the paint and doing a really good job of protecting the lane but Georgetown throughout the course of these last couple minutes they have found some of those slivers there is that Tasha tough ribbon that the Hoya have been wearing all throughout this season the Big East held Tasha tough games as well throughout the season just really powerful how proud these ladies of Georgetown have made their late head coach Kelsey Ransom told us yesterday I just hope she could see this and as we told her she's watching it's a proud program there's na mu as are the Yukon huskys and they have come ready here [Music] [Applause] [Music] tonight shocket 10 for C the Wagner transfer gets it back had that deflected that's Becker's fifth Block it's down to three and Bennett is [Applause] foul [Applause] foul on Brady just her first as Beckers comes off for a breather and that's the other thing with Beckers and the blocks as we continue to see one is the reads two is the quickness hand ey coordination all those things she obviously has a lot of length in her frame but a lot of players don't always try to actually block perimeter shots block three-point shots they're coming out and trying to get a hand in the face block your vision to contest you hard challenges she's going for the ball and it's impressive to watch too cuz she's got such a great sense of recovery Arnold Jets but Ransom said no way now in transition a spin and Samuel's The Freshman for Connecticut with a block of her [Applause] own so Becker's on the bench again the Huskies only seven available players with the Lee Edwards out with that nose [Applause] injury 10 on the shot clock for [Applause] mule off shade's hands with five shade The Freshman of the year in the Big East with two and there's a shot clock violation forced by the nation's sixth best defense and gin Orma says I've like my American Big E Player of the Year back on the [Music] court he said look it comes down to Paige Beckers and niik mule they have to set the tone possession in possession [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] out [Applause] here's Ransom seven points tonight driving on Beckers and with a tough finish it's been fun watching those two go at one another Beckers is putting up big time numbers but you got the two best players guarding one another going at one another the level of [Applause] competitiveness Samuels with the shot clock down to six again and that one deflected it'll stay with Yukon with five 5 Seconds here now it's down to two give to [Music] [Applause] shade final men to this third quarter you cannot deny georgetown's fight hand from the corner and air ball as you said Sarah the one thing about this Georgetown team just over 29% from three on the season tonight Yukon has given them the arc and they've shot two for 14 yeah and so again not not a strength to begin with in well below that credit to yukon's defense to go with it and that was against kraton where Georgetown was able to open some things up cuz they shot the three ball a little bit better Beckers took contact and the put back's good for Samuels Gaden Samuels first points final seconds here for Georgetown in the [Applause] third so Bennett with with six Bennett with four Grace and Bennett with two to get it off to beat the buzzer Maya B do it's a great play by beny on the finish and maybe a little juici here for Georgetown as you head into this fourth quarter Georgetown showing their toughness and resilience all throughout this week and playing for their head coach all season long Tasha buts Tasha named the head coach of this program back in April and passed away from cancer at the unfortunate age of 41 in October all season long these Hoya have played for her and in her honor St STL the Yukon huskies have been dominant Under head coach goo orama 30 regular season conference championships 28 Conference tournament titles including 21 in the Big East 22 final fours 11 NCA championships last one in 2016 or's longest drought since 1986 to 94 if drought is the way that you would put it it's been amazing to watch just the standard that Yan of set that Gina Orma has set the Hall of Famer look at this the last three championships for Yukon 70 points per game nearly 52% from the field but the average merge of a victory I mean that big time they bring into tonight a 32 game Conference tournament winning streak they haven't lost a conference tournament game since the last one in the old Big East to Notre Dame back in 2013 often times though whether we talk to Gino whether we talk to some of these players yes it's about Big East tournament titles yes it's about Big East regular season titles it's also about hanging banners and hanging National Championship banners and that is something that no player on this current roster has done and that is a part of the vision the goals and the aspirations that this group has to get back to even with all the injuries and the adversity they don't stop jump ball the possession arrow [Applause] with the [Applause] Huskies I beg your pardon the ho is as there is ay fud on the bench that unfortunate HCL injury but she is planning to be back next year Becker's announcing she will be back announced earlier this week that she will not be back was quite the photoo with or as well as B hits I think I mean a f Aubrey Griffin Caroline Ayan patters like think about the players that they are playing without and we mentioned Ayah Edwards yes just these last two games but throughout the course of the season the impactful players that they have been still finding this level of success despite not happen three on the shot clock Beckers on the post up Paige Beckers has 22 [Applause] points and now Beckers with the steal Paige Beckers has scored 80 points in this tournament and there's her mom how proud she has to [Applause] be now Arnold and mule mule with a no look to KK Arnold Samuels is there and she's [Applause] fouled so you talked about those injured Huskies again youon down to seven available players now which is the required amount you have to have to play a game in the Big East a Lee Edwards they hoped to have her back for the NCA tournament but then from there it's just a laundry list of SE ending injuries and Misfortune could be a starting line whether it's starters key players impactful players those off the bat I mean [Applause] that's that's significant but that that's a part of the game and that's the unfortunate part of the game that many programs many schools many teams have to deal with but it feels like for Yukon there has been a consistency to it in particular in the last couple seasons and Sarah a perfect Big East season 28 and five the five losses have all come to teams rength in the top 11 of the AP [Applause] [Music] p as coach Orma said you don't take this for granted you don't take Paige Beckers for granted 27 time out Georgetown as they rise to their feet again to show their [Applause] appreciation Georgetown trying to hang with it behind Kelsey Ransom but it has been a whole lot of Paige Beckers just pouring it on from Diana to Maya to Tina to Stewie to Lobo to bird to swin srack it's goats on goats they are 11 national titles for this program and you said it see Renee Montgomery there a lot of my my friends my colleagues people I get to steal see along the way all the time and in again it's it's hard to entirely put into words the foundation that is said and I think the fun part as we look at the tournament resume for Yukon net ranking of number two you had already mentioned the fact that the losses for Yukon this season all the teams in the most recent AP Top 25 ranking are 11th or higher and so it's going to be interesting to see if there could be a possibility of them moving up to potentially that two- seed line currently projected as a three SE but but yeah it's it's tremendous what they've done and now where Women's Basketball was at College women's basketball the amount of competitive programs the balance up top every single Conference tournament the fun matchups the Rival re all across the board it's been tremendous to watch grow continue to get bigger and better the more the eyes the more that the audience the exposure the viewers the fans have an opportunity to the talent that exists John Fant Saka wonderfully said Kim Adams our entire Fox Sports crew with you to cap off what has been an amazing Big East women's basketball tournament KK Arnold short and over the back on Samuels we saw semifinals Yukon and Marquette making Duffy's team very much on that NCA tournament bubble hopeful that they hear their name calls on on Sunday night in our other semi-final Georgetown and Katon Katon knows that they are going to hear their name called Jim flry with a 25 and five [Applause] season 10 on the timer Cowen had a big day yesterday weaving long and Arnold somehow reeled it in she's got six rebounds that's where on top of a lot of different areas the Huskies have been so good on the glass both the offensive glass get some Second Chance opportunities but defensively they are finishing off possessions Samuels from the corner Q the freshman talking with people Sarah at the half they were talking about ice bradying people around this Yukon program people like Samuels these freshmen how big this is not just for the NCA tournament but for the future Seasons the amount that they've been relied upon the amount of experience they're getting now earlier than expected there a foul on the Huskies there's always a silver lining to look at in a lot of areas in a lot of ways and that's part of the growth that's part of sometimes being tossed in the fire before you feel like you may be ready and seeing what you have and we talked a lot about ice Brady earlier as KK Arnold big round of applause but to see what you have when she is forced to play this amount of minutes the responsibility needed with Aaliyah Edwards that's something that Yukon had not experienced because of the consistent availability that Edwards has always provided and now you see the areas of the game that I'm sure Brady had show G Oriana in practice but to do so at the stage and on this game and consistent possession after possession has been really [Applause] impressive Paige Beckers with 27 points 83 on this tournament that's a Stu from Brady up the floor and Ben cor blocked from behind by beny [Applause] this has been a block party here at Mohan Sun everyone getting in on the action I Grady the [Music] latest welcome back to Mohan son everybody the East championship game and you hate to see this Brian Scott out with a lower extremity injury suffered in yesterday's semifinal right near the end of the game against Kayon our thoughts are with Bri she continues to get that evaluated and our thoughts are with our Fox Sports colleague her mom a proud proud mom who's here Christy winter Scott amazing mother reflection of that and her daughter and yeah a big Miss for Georgetown as there's Ashlin Shan you think about what Scott had done Off the Bench we mentioned earlier she was the sixth woman of the year in the Big East averages about nine points for game six rebounds can stretch out from the three-point line as well so for her to get things going as she comes off the bench offensively is something that the Hoya have relied upon and missing here this evening shot clock is at [Applause] seven and into the hands of cow Cowan attacks Brady with straight up defense Ben cour attacking takes the hit and is foul [Applause] and listen to this Ovation for Beckers mom Amy he a track and field star back in her College days here and watching that's awesome enus Ben cour sophomore one for two on that trip what is showing here as P jait She average 27.7 points per game in this tournament [Applause] [Music] Bennett with the turn around what a bright spot she's been for this Georgetown team impressive and the footwork her ability to play with her back to the basket I know this deficit looks large for Georgetown but they've had flashes they've had moments they have fought there's shade all the way a shade with 10 you're absolutely right the fact that this Georgetown team again picked second to last in the Big East preseason Paul has accomplished their first 20 win season since 2012 and they will have postseason basketball ahead of them likely in the [Music] wbit ransom is [Music] fouled you steps off nine assists for naika mule that's what she does and for as much as we've talked about Paige Becker her the love the hug her organization of the offense at command of it mule has been picking apart this ge Tom defense and finding a lot of good looks for her teammates because of [Applause] it Samuels goes to the deck and Arnold fouled from behind by Bennett you said it Sarah Beckers and mule they've relied upon one another throughout their careers to be each other's rocks well and think about what na mule was doing with Paige Becker's out last season and setting a single season assist record at Yukon that's something with given the names Legends the performances says a lot fifth in all time career assist for the program Arnold fouled on the [Applause] tap they have formed one of the alltime Duos for this program one of only five Huskies all time to reach that 600 career Milestone and now she's just eight assists she'll enter the NCA tournament eight assists Off Mariah Jefferson's alltime program record of 6 [Applause] 59 how proud should Darnell hany be of this team a endless amounts for him too for him this coaching staff the program in general and George Tom Hoya should be extraordinarily proud of the accomplishment one of fighting to get here where they're at and just overall and there's a lot more to come but we've mentioned just the resiliency that they have played with The Moxy the GD and they made this program proud and I know you have talked to to many for alumni know I have as well it's it's been extraordinary to watch this run and I know this outcome is not probably what they expected anticipated but nonetheless to to be here to be on the stage put yourself in this position yeah PR Pride doesn't doesn't do words justice of how they should all feel earlier today we were talking with Barbara Barnes their Sid a double digit amount of alumni that sent in videos congratulating them and wishing them luck tonight Rebecca Brunson sugar Rogers the list goes on and on there this program has tradition but they've never been to this big East championship game and think about that and that that's that's part of it and it takes a first time to have more times and that's what it's all about I think 10 20 years from now when they meet back up on campus they'll always be able to say they were the first to get [Music] [Applause] here Cowan is [Applause] [Music] [Applause] fouled [Music] that's by number1 first we'll talk about it more we have a a full post game coming for you right here on FS1 so keep it with us with the Trophy presentation reaction and more but you've seen Yukon throughout this season obviously no le Edwards makes a difference and they hope to have her back for the NCAA tournament what are your biggest takeaways from their performance tonight how locked in they were from tip and it's what you would anticipate in a championship game they have been here before it but possession by possession they they got that jump right out of the gates and youo Oro or you had said talked about needing to play with the lead and they did that quickly they were efficient they were effective Paige Becker the monster numbers but it it was the totality of this group and how connected they were at both ends Samuels with an exclamation [Applause] [Music] point Georgetown beat Xavier they beat third seat at St John's they beat second seat at Katon to get here certainly a performance to remember as this place rises again a capacity crowd great to see here at moan and Yukon can dribble it out in the midst of any and all adversity the pulse of this big East Dynasty forges on the Yukon Huskies win their 22nd Big East tournament title [Applause] [Music] [Applause] a tremendous amount of respect between these coaches between these players what we saw here on the floor and Paige Becker's the Big E player of the year was extraordinary she Rose to the level of the moment as we so often see her do and the team did as well short-handed on both sides for both of these teams but again walking away from this one there was a great level of compete a fight and that's exactly what you want to see when it comes to a championship setting three games in this tournament for Paige Becker she scored 27 plus in each of them and ended up with 83 points in the tournament which is four off a three- game record in the history of the Big East conference it was the points it was the efficiency it was the defense the defense by this Yukon team with Paige Beckers in particular the blocks setting the tone that's where the pride should really factor in that if was the way that they're playing now and this is exactly when you want to be peing as you're heading into the postseason Connecticut they have now won 11 consecutive conference tournaments from their time in the American they never lost that Championship but now every year since falling to Notre Dame in 2013 they have been crowned the queens of their conference and Yukon will enter the NCA tournament on a n game winning streak they understand what it means at this time of the year how you need to be playing tighten up the tighten up the laces get ready celebrate this one right now but there's a lot more to come Kim Adams is with this team's assist Queen na mu thank you John na we had to get the championship shirt on for this interview you had already announced a couple days ago that this would be your last season as a Yukon husky how does it feel to close out this final Big East game with the championship oh man it feels amazing I had no doubt in the Steam not one second and you know stuff just givs hitting us man you know we have we had Aaliyah out she she's everything to us and we just came together and we and we did it man and major respect to the Georgetown team um they're great um but I'm just so proud of my team and so so so happy I'm so happy and can see some emotion in your eyes how would you sum up just what this Yukon program has meant to you coming over from Croatia and spending four years of your life here I mean how do I summ Summit of this look at this look at them like that that's how I sum it up that's how I sum it up this is it's so much more in basketball here and I I couldn't pick a better place to come and spend four years here amazing well thank you so much for the time na that's the emotion of March says it all na mule what this program what this experience means to her it never gets old and Connecticut the Huskies are Big East tournament champions yet again we'll be back with a confetti and a Trophy presentation paage Beckers and the Yukon Huskies Rejoice because they've won their 22nd Big East tournament Crown now let's head to the stage for the Trophy presentation with Kim Adams thank [Music] youant we are GNA welcome in our Mohan Sun Arena live audience and we are going to kick things off with a few words from our fantastic biggies conference commissioner Val Akerman thanks Kim um I want to commend um our runnerup the Tasha tough Georgetown hoes for an inspired run and a great season and hats off to all of our schools for uh a great season and a very competitive and hard-fought year I want to thank all of you the fans here at mohagen Sun Arena for your amazing support of the Big East women's basketball programs thank you so much our champion our champion had the coach of the year the player of the year The Freshman of the year was the runner up was the regular season title winner is now won its 22nd Big East tournament Crown it is my great pleasure to present the 2024 Big East conference women's basketball champ championship trophy to coach or and the Yukon [Applause] Huskies [Applause] all right we are going to speak with the man himself coach gin orama as we let the confetti clear coach it seems like these last couple of Seasons now your group has just been dealt challenge after challenge yet you complete an undefeated Big East regular season you're here hoisting your 22nd Big East tournament championship [Applause] trophy How would how would you describe how this year's team has just continue to ride every wave of this season uh well I I would like to say that um as as um as much as um you know I'm obviously excited for um for Yukon and and and and all those tournament championships all of them are unique in their own way all of them are special but the way it played out this year and the way we had to play these three games under the circumstances that we had to play um I don't think any of them were ever ever quite this uh this challenging for the for this team for these kids it was incredible um I mean to to to see what they did and and you know they were practice every day and and then they have to play and and there's going to be no substitutes there's not going to be any hardly any um any times for breaks or it's just you got to play and you got to play through whatever we're playing well we're playing poorly we're fatigued what whatever the case may be but I think you just find that extra something you know because you have such a legacy to live up to here when you come here and play um I mean ice just played 80 minutes in two [Applause] games you know I don't think she went 80 minutes consecutively in practice one time um and that's I think that's what makes it special is that sometimes you don't know what's inside people until they're put in a situation where they they really got to dig down and see what they have and and this opportunity made show them and showed you all just incredible toughness and the resilience that these guys have um obviously we're all proud at Connecticut of all of our championships but this one um given what we went through and it's um we we're going to celebrate this one really really really [Applause] good all right coach we appreciate we are going to bring back Val auran who I think has one more trophy to give out thanks Val she was the um biggie player of the year The Scholar athlete of the Year her line tonight was 27 points four rebounds three assists five blocks and three steals the most outstanding player of the 2024 Big East women's basketball tournament from Yukon Paige [Applause] Beckers all right Paige Beckers congratulations before we talk to you a little bit I do want to point out a little history Paige Beckers today becomes just the third ever player to repeat bigie tournament most outstanding player joining Shelley Pena from Villanova and Y con great Carol [Applause] Walters congratulations Paige Paige it seems like from November until this very final Big E game of the season there's been a theme of players needing to step up how would you describe how you've seen your teammates do that all season long yeah um I read a devotional every time before the game and this this one this morning was play the hand ad de and that's been our theme the entire season so everybody stepped up [Applause] uh today it was uh me and ni the two seniors and all of our little kids um but everybody stepped up in so many different ways um the energy on the bench from these guys who didn't play was amazing always the entire season so they played a part in this as [Applause] well the coaching staff the training staff the massage staff the strength and conditioning staff everybody who works here at Yukon just played a huge part in just keeping us together and keeping us solid um there could have been plenty of times where we wanted to just bow down and quit but we just keep on fighting we're this is the most resilient group I've ever been around and this one is very rewarding so I'm very happy about this one and Paige one year ago we were at a similar scene but you were one of the players in the sweatsuits I know you want to get your teammates out of these sweatsuits but how would you describe the emotions you feel with your journey back to the court now in this moment holding up a couple of trophies yeah a year ago I was I would have done anything to be in basketball shoes instead of Street Wear just playing in the most important month of basketball um so I'm extremely grateful uh I wouldn't be here without God and all my teammates and my coaching staff um I just wanted to embrace it and have fun cuz I miss it so much the entire year last year um and I'm just extremely grateful to be healthy and playing basketball we're loving seeing you back out there Paige Becker's most outstanding player congratulations all right before we send it back to the TV broadcast I think there's somebody that this crowd would really love to hear from Aaliyah Edwards would you join us up at the [Applause] front [Music] Ali I know I speak for a lot of people here a lot of people watching that it made us really sad to not be able to see you out on the court to finish out this big East tournament how would you describe how your teammates how this husky family has kept you uplifted during this time super super proud um even though I was down my energy was up on the bench I was still a part of the team still playing with my teammates and my teammates got the job done there was there was no question there was no question at all everyone stepped up everyone played together and we played Yukon basketball all right Eli Edwards I hope we see you out there NCAA tournament Yukon Huskies 2024 Big East tournament champions for the 22nd time congratulations everybody John Fanta we will send it back to you on the FS1 broadcast thank you Kim play with the hand your doubt they did and they're Champions because of it the power of faith and dealing with adversity we'll be back to talk more about the champion Huskies e basketball the Connecticut Huskies are 2024 Big East Women's Basketball Tournament champion a 78- 42 win over Georgetown Paige Becker your most outstanding player a two-time now just the third and Big East history be able to say that so welcome you back courts side everybody Sarah Kim Adams I'm John Fanta Kim how would you put this in perspective tonight well I think we saw just how dominant this Yukon Huskies team can be you guys said on the broadcast regardless of which five are out there we're seeing younger players step into their own I mean how good was Ice Brady this whole tournament uh the Freshman who have been playing all season long I guess we could consider them sophomores now but just excited to see what's in store for this team in March I know there's a lot of adversity I know they weren't happy with bad taste in their mouth from last year's NCAA so I am excited to see what this Yukon team is going to bring into the next chapter of the Season Young play Paige is still calling them their kids uh but overall it was a complete effort both ends of the floor and I think for this Yukon team it's not just about this goal as we heard Gino talking about but the to ality of what it took to get here I think was really impressive let's get to some highlights from this one and Yukon starting the game with 11 unanswered and Paige Beckers was Electric in how she was picking apart the defense drives on the attack she was excellent on the defensive end with her blocks and was just really dominant and in control overall yeah I mean the defensive growth of Paige Beckers Joo talk to us about it it's just pretty remarkable and let's not forget just how dominant this Georgetown defense had been across the tournament and four games in four days obviously a tough challenge for them but Yukon came out and just set the tone right away on both ends of the floor I thought and Paige was the one who got that going but ice Brady I know you had mentioned her filling in for Aaliyah Edwards and it was seamless she was on the move she was able to really move so well off the ball on the offensive then defensively she was dominant and you got to give love to Kelsey Ransom because she tried to keep this George tennel team in it and it was her tenacity it was her grid and there's a lot to be proud of for the Hoya because the fact that they got here for the first time in program history is something that's only the beginning for this program a lot for the Hoya to be proud of they'll have postseason basketball ahead of them but anytime Yukon needed to counter punch in this tournament k p Beckers did it I I just see a different level of locked in I mean I know we've seen her locked in before but there's a combination of like being locked in and playing freely and with joy and it's just beautiful to see she's playing so efficiently she's loving the two-way game getting after it on that end of the floor and it's just great to see the three-point shot falling the handles of course and her teammates are really just following her lead right now her mentality infiltrated her teammates you saw it on their faces throughout the course of this one as we turn to the final stats from this one the three-point Arc made a difference in this game yeah you can tell Yukon was just trying to force this George Town Georgetown team out keep them out of the paint force them to beat them from the outside but again just want to commend Georgetown on getting to this game and the passion they showed over the last couple days really a resilient bunch of Hoya a lot to be proud of and at the end of the day as you said earlier on the broadcast the standard is set in this league 22 times Yukon has been the Big East Tournament champion it it wasn't just what though it was how and we've all discussed it they've got the pieces they've got the players and they also have the connectivity between everyone right now you could tell they are playing for one another yeah we talked about it in the post game presser or whatever the show it was and just to not have Aaliyah Edwards for two and a half games and to come out and play the way they did Ice Brady step up the way she did Gino said it I mean sometimes you you don't see someone's true potential until they have no choice but to show show it um so I think this team got even better over the course of the last couple days Kim we've been here throughout the week how would you put the Big East tournament in perspective yeah I mean it's always a great time I I feel bad for some teams cuz I feel like they didn't play their best game and that's always tough to swallow but hoping we get to see a bunch of these teams in the postseason hoping we see a couple deep NCAA runs Yukon Huskies being one of them but just a tremendous League thank you to the coaches players Sid everyone we get to cover all season long my takeaway is you two are the best teammates we have the most incredible truck in the business and you're Warriors making it through so thank you for letting me join you here when the confetti Falls and for the fun quick shout out to Megan Caffrey too who did I think I don't know 10 of the games great job by Megan outstanding and a tremendous crew ladies a pleasure to be with you as you take a look at the best of the best from this big East Tournament game on energy hands up up the mascots out no shortage of passion and drama and heroes and tension this tournament featured all kinds of story lines Marquette hopes that they will be dancing Darnell Haney and Georgetown let the Hoya is on a magical run but when it was all said and done on this night the Hoya is meeting Yukon and Gino Orma was wearing a smile before and he's wearing a smile now because the Huskies are your big East champions the final score Yukon 78 Georgetown 42 Yukon are women's basketball tournament champions for Kim Adam s acustic I'm John Fanta coming up after the break we send you to Mike Hill in the LA Studios

Channel: MJL243

Views: 55,271

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Length: 99min 41sec (5981 seconds)

Published: Tue Mar 12 2024