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NCAA Division III Women's Tournament
To the strains of "Simply the Best," the Washington University women's basketball team let out a primal scream, then hugged one another with all their might.
Simple. Understated. Typical behavior for the three-time NCAA Division III women's basketball champions.
They left the immediate mirth and frivolity to their fans after a 79-33 victory over Southern Maine on Saturday, standing under a shower of Silly String launched from the seats behind the bench.
The Bears (30-0) became only the second team in NCAA history to complete successive undefeated seasons. The other was the men's team at UCLA in 1971-72 and '72-73, coached by John Wooden. Coach Nancy Fahey was unaware she had joined Wooden in a circle of two.
"He's been giving me the warm fuzzies all year," she said in reference to compliments Wooden paid the Bears when they broke the women's NCAA record for most consecutive victories. The streak stands at 68, and WU is closing in on the NCAA record of 88, held by Wooden's Bruins. "Face it; this is a great bunch of players. I'm lucky to coach them."
The observant in the crowd...