ELVIN GEORGE
Notre Dame won the NCAA Championship by defeating Mississippi State 61-58 in a late-game thriller last night.
The score was tied up with less than two seconds to go in the game as Notre Dame Junior, Arike Ogunbowale, released a heavily contested shot. The ball soared through the air and went through the net to seal the championship for Notre Dame.
ICYMI: Arike Ogunbowale might be the most clutch person in sports right now. pic.twitter.com/8x3dWkkG0x
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 2, 2018
They became the first team to come back from a 15-point deficit in the second half of a championship game. Along with the national title trophy, Ogunbowale also won the MVP of the tournament by averaging nearly 25 points per game.
WOW! @Arike_O #lifecomplete #MambaMentality
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) April 2, 2018
Arike Ogunbowale is cold blooded!!!!
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) April 2, 2018
“Coach McGraw recruits players like this and shoutout anybody thinking of what college to go to , go to Notre Dame,” Ogunbowale told ESPN. “This is what we do, national champs right here.”
Can’t spell MVP without Arike Ogunbowale pic.twitter.com/IRGyCDdL5t
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 2, 2018
Ogunbowale had a similar moment in the semi-finals as the game was tied up with five seconds left in overtime. She stepped in front of the three point line and shot the game-winning basket, pushing them past the undefeated UConn (36-0) and onto the finals.
5-time NBA Champion, Kobe Bryant, congratulated Ogunbowale on her skills later in the game but reminded her that the job isn’t done.
Big time shot Arike! We are a @UConnWBB family but we love seeing great players making great plays. I know my lil sis @jewellloyd is happy Well done @ndwbb good luck on Sunday #mambamentality ? https://t.co/8DxHkNURN7
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) March 31, 2018
Nah… it’s complete by finishing the job on Sunday @Arike_O #MambaMentality https://t.co/pvL95JCZHn
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) March 31, 2018
The last time Notre Dame won the title was in 2001, exactly 17 years ago. The team has been one of the dominant contenders in the past tournaments as they reached the NCAA Final, five times in the last eight years.
The women’s side finished their March Madness tournament Sunday, and now the men’s side will conclude the tournament on Monday night. Villanova will try to win their second title in the last three years going against sharp shooting Michigan.