In a game that didn't deserve to have a loser, the decisive shot misfired by mere inches.
Stanford defeated South Carolina, 66-65, in Friday's Final Four to advance to the women's national championship game in a physical contest that went down to the final seconds.
Trailing by one with less than nine seconds remaining, South Carolina forward Aliyah Boston stole the ball to give the Gamecocks a chance to take the lead. After Brea Beal's layup attempt missed, Boston's put-back at the buzzer was too strong, sealing the win for the Cardinal.
Stanford took the lead on its previous possession thanks to an offensive rebound by Haley Jones, who knocked down a midrange jumper with 32 seconds remaining.