UCLA tops Texas to avenge only loss, will play for 1st title

PHOENIX -- Lauren Betts had 16 points and 11 rebounds, and her blocked shot with 18.1 seconds remaining helped UCLA avenge its only loss of the season on the biggest stage in a 51-44 victory over Texas in an NCAA Women's Final Four semifinal on Friday.

Kiki Rice had 11 points and Gabriela Jaquez and Gianna Kneepkens added 10 apiece for the Bruins (36-1), who won their 30th straight and will play for their first NCAA title against fellow No. 1 seed South Carolina on Sunday.

"Quite frankly, we didn't play to our best offensively," UCLA coach Cori Close said. "I remember after the Iowa game when we won the Big Ten championship tournament, I told our team that you cannot fall in love with pretty offense and think that it's going to be like this every game. I told them there's going to be a game in the NCAA Tournament that you're going to have to just grind it out and do it with your defense."

Betts had her 14th double-double of the season and doubled her point total from the first meeting, when she had eight points and seven rebounds in a 76-65 loss to Texas in the Players Era tournament in Las Vegas on Nov. 26. She averages 17.2 points a game.

"This is something that we've all dreamt of being in the position," Betts said. "We're all very thankful. We expected to be here."

Kyla Oldacre had 11 points and was the Longhorns' only-double digit scorer on a night when Texas shot only 30.8% from the field.

Longhorns leading scorer Madison Booker (19.3 ppg) scored only six points due to 3-of-23 shooting from the field.

"Honestly, every shot I took I thought was going in," Booker said. "I can't pinpoint it. It was surprising I couldn't get out of that funk."

Betts put UCLA up 42-30 with 6:11 left, and her jumper with three minutes to go made the lead 47-37 before Texas closed.

The Longhorns scored seven straight points capped by Jordan Lee's driving layup to make it 47-44 with 1:02 left before Betts blocked Booker's driving layup in the waning seconds.

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"The entire game, the coaches are just continuously telling me sprint back, sprint back, sprint back," Betts said. "My job today was help in any way I can inside the paint. As soon as I saw her getting downhill, I'm like, all right, please block this, just don't let her score. I was in a good position. I trust my work and my defense."

Booker said she slipped on the play, adding, "That's not what we wanted."

Rice made four free throws around a Texas missed shot in the last 13.3 seconds for the final margin.

Rori Harmon had eight points, five assists, five rebounds and four steals for the Longhorns (35-4), who had won 12 in a row. Harmon shot 4 of 11 from the floor.

Booker made the first field goal of the game 37 seconds in and did not score again until her jumper with 5:48 left in the fourth cut the Bruins' lead to 42-32.

The Longhorns had held their previous NCAA Tournament opponents to an average of 49.5 points per game and had outscored them by an average of 35.5 points.

Neither team shot well in a lethargic first half, which ended with UCLA leading 20-17. Texas was 8 of 32 from the field and the Bruins were 9 of 24.

Texas did not break 20 points until Oldacre made a layup with 5:54 remaining in the third quarter.

"I thought (UCLA) played very hard," Texas coach Vic Schaefer said. "Aggressive. Played a lot like the way we like to play. In our locker room, we felt like we let one get away.

"This will haunt me until the day I die. We couldn't make a shot tonight. We had plenty of good looks. It's part of the cruelty that is the game sometimes."

--Jack Magruder, Field Level Media

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April 04, 2026

UCLA tops Texas to avenge only loss, will play for 1st title

PHOENIX -- Lauren Betts had 16 points and 11 rebounds, and her blocked shot with 18.1 seconds remaining helped UCLA av...

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UConn's Geno Auriemma doesn't regret what he said about Dawn Staley: 'Why would I?'

Geno Auriemmahad quite a bit to say to and aboutDawn Staleyduring his UConn women's basketball team's 62-48 loss to South Carolina in the2026 Final Fouron Friday, April 3.

It turns out he had even more to say after it.

Even the end of the Huskies' perfect season, bid for a second-consecutive championship and 54-game win streak was overshadowed by aterse exchange between him and Staleyas they went to shake hands just before the final buzzer. When the final remaining fractions of a second played out, Auriemma went back to his team's locker room without shaking the hand of Staley or any of South Carolina's players or coaching staff.

The Final Four matchup between South Carolina and UConn was played with intensity throughout, with emotions building as the game reached its closing stretch.

That tension surfaced late as the outcome was decided, leading to visible reactions and an exchange between two of women's basketball's most prominent coaches.

Above, UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma and South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley react during the second half of the 2026 Women's Final Four semifinal at Mortgage Matchup Center.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks and head coach Geno Auriemma of the UConn Huskies exchange words during the fourth quarter in the Final Four of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma bring intensity to SC‑UConn. See photos

The Final Four matchup between South Carolina and UConn was played with intensity throughout, withemotions building as the game reached its closing stretch.That tension surfaced late as the outcome was decided, leading to visible reactions and an exchange between two of women's basketball's most prominent coaches.Above, UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma and South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley react during the second half of the 2026 Women's Final Four semifinal at Mortgage Matchup Center.

What was at the root of the altercation? After initially side-stepping a question in his post-game news conference about the flare-up, Auriemma said it stemmed from having to wait for three minutes for Staley during the customary pregame handshake between coaches.

"For 41 years I've been coaching, 25 Final Fours and before the game, the protocol is you meet at halfcourt,"Auriemma said. "Anybody ever see that before? Two coaches meet at halfcourt and shake hands. Correct? Ever see it? They announce it on the loud speaker. And I waited there for like 3 minutes. (shrugs) So it is what it is."

Staley, for her part, said she wasn't sure what caused it.

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"I have no idea, but I'm going to let you know this, I'm of integrity. I'm of integrity," Staley said in a post-game interview with ESPN's Holly Rowe. "So if I did something wrong to Geno, I had no idea what I did, I guess he thought I didn't shake his hand at the beginning of the game, I didn't know, I went down there pregame, shook everybody on his staff's hand, I don't know what we came with after the game, but hey sometimes things get heated. We move on."

REQUIRED READING:'What are you doing dude?': Social media reacts to Geno Auriemma-Dawn Staley altercation

Emotions were running high for Auriemma even before his team lost. During an in-game sideline interview with Rowe entering the fourth quarter, and with the Gamecocks up by five, the 12-time national champion unloaded in a way few coaches do in such settings, complaining about the foul disparity between the teams and Staley, who he said "rants and raves on the sideline and calls the refs some names you don't want to hear."

After the game, Auriemma said he wanted "to make sure there's not a double standard. I'm of the opinion that if I ever talk to an official like that, I would get tossed. So I just want to make sure there's not a double standard, that some people are allowed to talk to officials like that and other people are not. That's it."

When asked in his post-game news conference if he had any regrets about his answer in his interview with Rowe, Auriemma stood by his words.

"I don't have any regrets with what I said to Holly Rowe. Why would I? Why would I? I've been coaching a long time, I've never had a kid change their jersey because somebody ripped it," he said. "And the officials said, 'I didn't see it.' A lot of things happened in that game. Unless you're on that sideline you have no idea what's happening on that sideline."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Geno Auriemma doubles down on Dawn Staley comments, doesn't regret what he said

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April 04, 2026

UConn's Geno Auriemma doesn't regret what he said about Dawn Staley: 'Why would I?'

Geno Auriemmahad quite a bit to say to and aboutDawn Staleyduring his UConn women's basketball team's 62-48 loss ...

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1977 Hit Ranked Among Best ‘Country Rock Songs’ of All Time Became a Breakup Anthem

In 1977, The Marshall Tucker Band released a song that would go on to define both their career and the country rock genre.

Their hit, "Heard It in a Love Song," became one of the band's biggest successes, reaching the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning lasting recognition decades later. The track has since been ranked among the best country rock songs of all time byUltimate Classic Rock,highlighting its enduring impact.

Written by lead singer Doug Gray, the song stands out for its smooth blend of country storytelling and rock instrumentation. With its laid-back groove and instantly recognizable melody, it captured the essence of the Southern rock sound that defined the era.

"Well, it was kind of strange. I put off singing that song for a year because, here I was thinking to myself, 'That's just too simple if a song for Marshall Tucker to put out there,' with all these other complex songs that we've got out," Gray said in a2018 interview.

"It finally got to the point where the record was coming out. So they said, 'OK, we got the track. You got to come put the vocal on it.' I put the vocal on it, they put the thing out, and four weeks later it was starting to chart. And everybody, all these teeny-bopper people, were there listening and singing to it." So those teeny-bopper people are now in their 40s or 50s or 60s.""

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At its core, "Heard It in a Love Song" is a breakup anthem, one that leans into emotional honesty without becoming overly dramatic. Its lyrics reflect on love, loss and the fleeting nature of relationships, delivered with a sense of quiet resignation that resonated with listeners.

Formed in the early 1970s in South Carolina, The Marshall Tucker Band became known for their fusion of rock, country and jazz influences, often incorporating flute and extended instrumental sections into theirmusic. Songs like this helped them stand out among their Southern rock peers and build a loyal fan base.

Over time, "Heard It in a Love Song" has remained a staple of classic rock and country playlists, continuing to connect with audiences acrossgenerations.

More than four decades later, the track still holds its place as a defining country rock classic, one that captured the sound of its time while delivering a message that feels just as relevant today.

Related: 1976 Hit Ranked Among Best 'American Rock Songs' Became a Timeless Classic

This story was originally published byParadeon Apr 3, 2026, where it first appeared in theNewssection. Add Parade as aPreferred Source by clicking here.

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April 04, 2026

1977 Hit Ranked Among Best ‘Country Rock Songs’ of All Time Became a Breakup Anthem

In 1977, The Marshall Tucker Band released a song that would go on to define both their career and the country rock genre...

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Journalist Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped in Iraq. An Iran-aligned militia is demanding ransom

Supporters of an American journalist kidnapped in Baghdad say she risked her life reporting from some of the world's most dangerous places. Now she's the one in danger.

"Bring Shelly home now." That's a growing call from friends, family, and supporters ofkidnapped U.S. journalistShelly Kittleson. The 49-year-old freelancer, who has spent years reporting on the Middle East, was abducted from a busy street in Baghdad on March 31.

Now, days later, the New York Times reports a ransom has been demanded in exchange for her release. So far only one suspect has been arrested. The State Department says they're believed to be connected to an Iranian-aligned militia group.

RELATED NEWS |US journalist abducted in Iraq; State Department says she was warned of threats

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The State Department also says Kittleson was repeatedly warned about credible threats to her safety prior to her kidnapping. Meanwhile, supporters of Kittleson warned against blaming the journalist for her abduction.

"I think it's really critical that we not go down the road of suggesting that the journalist shouldn't have been there or should have been better prepared. Putting the onus on the back of the person who is attacked, who people are trying to silence, is not the right way to go," said Elisa Lees Muñoz, with the International Women's Media Foundation.

Friends of Kittleson told Scripps News she knew the risks, but they didn't stop her from choosing to do her job.

The New York Times reports representatives from an Iranian-backed militia group have contacted Iraqi government officials to negotiate for Kittleson's release. They've demanded the release of several detained militia members in exchange.

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April 04, 2026

Journalist Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped in Iraq. An Iran-aligned militia is demanding ransom

Supporters of an American journalist kidnapped in Baghdad say she risked her life reporting from some of the world's ...

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Downed planes raise new perils for Trump as Tehran hunts for missing US pilot

By Phil Stewart and Enas Alashray

WASHINGTON/CAIRO, April 3 (Reuters) - Two U.S. warplanes were downed over Iran and the Gulf, Iranian and U.S. officials said on Friday, with two pilots rescued and a third still missing and being hunted by Tehran's forces.

The incidents show the risks still faced by U.S. and Israeli aircraft ‌over Iran despite assertions from U.S. President Donald Trump and his Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that their forces had total control of the skies.

The first plane, a two-seat ‌U.S. F-15E jet, was shot down by Iranian fire, officials in both countries said.

The second plane, an A-10 Warthog fighter aircraft, was hit by Iranian fire and crashed over Kuwait, with the pilot ejecting, two U.S. officials said.

Two Blackhawk ​helicopters involved in the search effort for the missing pilot were hit by Iranian fire but made it out of Iranian airspace, the two U.S. officials told Reuters.

The degree of injuries among the crew of the aircraft remained unclear. The status and whereabouts of the missing F-15E crew member was not publicly known.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps said it was combing an area near where the pilot's plane came down in southwestern Iran and the regional governor promised a commendation for anyone who captured or killed "forces of the hostile enemy."

Iranians, who have been pummeled by American air power for weeks, posted ‌gleeful messages celebrating the plane downings. Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer ⁠Qalibaf said on X that the U.S. and Israel's war had been "downgraded from regime change" to a hunt for their pilots.

Trump has been in the White House receiving updates on the search-and-rescue operation, a senior administration official told Reuters. The Pentagon and U.S. Central Command did not immediately respond ⁠to requests for comment.

NO SIGN OF END TO WAR

The prospect of a U.S. service person being alive and on the run inside Iran raises the stakes for Washington in a conflict with low public support and no sign of an imminent end.

Iran has officially told mediators it is not prepared to meet with U.S. officials in Islamabad in coming days and that efforts to produce a ceasefire, led by Pakistan, ​have ​reached a dead end, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

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The U.S. and Israel opened the campaign with ​a wave of strikes that killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ‌on February 28. The war has killed thousands and threatened lasting damage to the global economy.

So far, 13 U.S. military service members have been killed in the conflict and more than 300 have been wounded, according to the U.S. Central Command.

Iran has rained drones and missiles down on Israel. It has also taken aim at Gulf countries allied to the U.S., which have so far held back from joining the war directly for fear of further escalation.

In a security alert on Friday, the U.S. embassy in Beirut said Iran and its aligned armed groups may target universities in Lebanon and urged U.S. citizens in the country to leave while commercial flights are still available.

Israel has been waging a parallel campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon after the ‌militant group fired at Israel in support of Iran.

TRUMP THREAT TO STRIKE BRIDGES, POWER PLANTS

On Friday, as Trump ​threatened to hit its bridges and power plants, Iran struck a power and water plant in Kuwait, underlining ​the vulnerability of Gulf states that rely heavily on desalination plants for drinking water.

On ​Thursday, Trump posted footage on social media showing dust and smoke billowing up as U.S. strikes hit the newly constructed B1 bridge between Tehran and ‌nearby Karaj, which was due to open this year, and said more ​attacks would follow.

"Our Military, the greatest and most powerful (by ​far!) anywhere in the World, hasn't even started destroying what's left in Iran. Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants!" he wrote in a subsequent post.

On Friday, a drone hit a Red Crescent relief warehouse in the Choghadak area of Iran's southern Bushehr province.

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said its Mina al-Ahmadi refinery had been hit by drones. Other attacks ​were also reported to have been intercepted in Saudi Arabia and ‌Abu Dhabi. Missile debris landed near the Israeli port of Haifa, site of a major oil refinery.

Oil markets were closed after benchmark U.S. crude prices gained 11% ​on Thursday following a speech by Trump that offered no clear sign of an imminent end to the war.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart in Washington, Reuters bureaux; ​Writing by James Mackenzie and Sharon Singleton; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne, Bill Berkrot and David Gregorio)

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April 04, 2026

Downed planes raise new perils for Trump as Tehran hunts for missing US pilot

By Phil Stewart and Enas Alashray WASHINGTON/CAIRO, April 3 (Reuters) - Two U.S. warplanes were downed over Ir...

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'What are you doing dude?': Social media reacts to Geno Auriemma-Dawn Staley altercation

The UConn women's basketball program came into the2026 Final Fouras a sizable favorite to take home its second national championship in as many years.

Instead, the Huskies left Phoenix empty-handed after the national semifinals.

Burdened by an uncharacteristically cold shooting night in which it made just 19 of its 61 field goal attempts (31%), including a 4-of-16 showing from national player of the year Sarah Strong, coachGeno Auriemma's team saw its perfect season come to an end in a 62-48 loss to fellow No. 1 seedSouth Carolinain the national semifinals on Friday, April 3.

The Final Four matchup between South Carolina and UConn was played with intensity throughout, with emotions building as the game reached its closing stretch.

That tension surfaced late as the outcome was decided, leading to visible reactions and an exchange between two of women's basketball's most prominent coaches.

Above, UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma and South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley react during the second half of the 2026 Women's Final Four semifinal at Mortgage Matchup Center.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks and head coach Geno Auriemma of the UConn Huskies exchange words during the fourth quarter in the Final Four of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma bring intensity to SC‑UConn. See photos

The Final Four matchup between South Carolina and UConn was played with intensity throughout, withemotions building as the game reached its closing stretch.That tension surfaced late as the outcome was decided, leading to visible reactions and an exchange between two of women's basketball's most prominent coaches.Above, UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma and South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley react during the second half of the 2026 Women's Final Four semifinal at Mortgage Matchup Center.

REQUIRED READING:Geno Auriemma rants about South Carolina fouls: 'Been beating the (expletive) out of our guys'

The loss snapped a 54-game win streak for the Huskies, which is tied for the fourth-longest run in Division I women's basketball history. UConn had won its first 38 games this season by an average of 37.8 points, with only one of those victories decided by fewer than 13 points.

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The victory came with a measure of revenge for coach Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks, who lost to UConn 82-59 in the national championship game last season.

Despite the comfortable margin of victory for South Carolina, there were some fireworks after the game when Auriemma and Staley got into a heated exchange while shaking hands at the end of regulation. The interaction happened with a few tenths of a second remaining. Once the horn officially sounded and the game came to an end, Auriemma was already walking back to his team's locker room.

Auriemma had complained about the officiating during an interview with ESPN's Holly Rowe earlier in the game, which included a shot at Staley, who he said "rants and raves on the sideline" and "calls the referees "some names you don't want to hear."

Here's a sampling of what people were saying on social media about the war or words between the two Philadelphia natives:

Social media reacts to Geno Auriemma-Dawn Staley altercation

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Social media reacts to Geno Auriemma-Dawn Staley altercation after UConn-South Carolina

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April 04, 2026

'What are you doing dude?': Social media reacts to Geno Auriemma-Dawn Staley altercation

The UConn women's basketball program came into the2026 Final Fouras a sizable favorite to take home its second nation...

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