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UConn stomps UCLA by Final Four record 34 pts.

TAMPA, Fla. -- In Paige Bueckers' final collegiate game, she will have the opportunity to do what she always dreamed of doing with UConn -- win a national championship.
The presumptive No.1 overall pick in this month's WNBA draft, Bueckers and the Huskies demolished No. 1 overall seed UCLA 85-51 in the national semifinal, the largest margin of victory in NCAA Final Four history, to advance to the program's 13th national title game appearance. UConn became the first team in NCAA tournament history to beat a 1-seed by 30 or more points.
The Huskies advanced to Sunday's title game against defending champion South Carolina, which they beat earlier this season in Columbia. UConn opened as a 5.5-point favorite on ESPN BET.
"At this point, anything you did prior to the season means nothing," Bueckers said. "The record is 0-0 and teams are tying to go 1-0 in the final game. So keep up the defensive intensity like we did tonight. They're a really good team. They get out in transition, they've got interior play and great guard play, so we'll have our hands full."
The Bruins finished the season 34-3 and bowed out of the tournament after making their first Final Four appearance.
Though Bueckers' title chase fuels the Huskies, UConn's dominance Friday came more from her teammates. Freshman Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd combined for 41 points, while Bueckers, who totaled 105 points in her three previous games, had a quiet night by her standards with 16 points on 7-for-17 shooting (0-for-3 from 3).
It's that talent and depth around Bueckers, who'll appear in her second national title game, that UConn coach Geno Auriemma has said throughout this season will give the Huskies their best shot at winning their 12th championship and first since 2016, when they four-peated.
"It's just so much fun to watch her play with joy and be at this stage," Bueckers said of Fudd. "You see all the ups and downs, the bad days, the good days, and to be at this spot where it's the light at the end of the tunnel and for her to perform and be at this stage, it means everything to us."
The game was effectively over in the first half, when UConn dominated on both ends and took a 42-22 halftime lead. The Huskies swarmed defensively, forcing 14 Bruins turnovers and holding them -- other than UCLA star Lauren Betts (11 points) -- to 5-for-14 shooting from the field. Betts paced UCLA with 26 points on 11-for-18 shooting, but no teammate finished with more than eight points.
UConn's offense flowed most of the way, scoring off multiple transition plays that featured jaw-dropping passes.
After an off-night in the Elite Eight with eight points, Fudd delivered on her promise to leave that poor performance in Spokane, Washington. Aggressive from the tip, she put up 19 first-half points, nearly matching the Bruins' total in the first 20 minutes. The Huskies improved to 25-1 in Fudd's career when she scores 15 or more points.
Strong carried the Huskies in the second half, scoring 14 of her 22 points. She became the third UConn freshman with at least 20 points in a Final Four game, joining Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart.
By the end of the third quarter, Fudd and Strong had as many combined points as UCLA (37).
The Bruins briefly got the deficit below 20 points early in the third, but the Huskies kept their foot on the gas from there.
How UConn, South Carolina advanced to the NCAA title game -- and first look at the final

TAMPA, Fla. -- Sunday's national championship matchup is set. The South Carolina Gamecocks will face the UConn Huskies at 3 p.m. ET on ABC.
It's a rematch of the 2022 NCAA title game in Minneapolis. South Carolina won that matchup 64-49 to capture its second national championship. That is the only NCAA final that the Huskies have lost; they came into that contest 11-0 in title games.
It's also a rematch from the regular season. The Huskies routed the Gamecocks 87-58 on Feb. 16 in Columbia, South Carolina. UConn's Azzi Fudd scored 28 points to help snap South Carolina's 71-game home win streak.
We tracked all the action Friday as South Carolina beat Texas and UConn upended No. 1 overall seed UCLA. Check out our analysis and first look at the NCAA title game.
Jump to results and analysis: UConn-UCLA | South Carolina-Texas
Get ready for a rematch as Paige Bueckers and the UConn Huskies take on the South Carolina Gamecocks in the national championship.
(2) UConn vs.
(1) South Carolina
What's at stake?
UConn seeks its 12th national title and first since 2016. South Carolina looks to repeat after last year's 38-0 undefeated season. It would be the Gamecocks' third title in four years and fourth overall.
Three X factors for Sunday's national championship
Who wins the freshman battle between UConn's Sarah Strong and South Carolina's Joyce Edwards?
Strong had 22 points in Friday's 85-51 blowout of UCLA, owning the second half. In South Carolina's 74-57 win over Texas in the Friday's first semifinal, Edwards had 13 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists.
In the regular-season matchup, Strong had 16 points and 13 rebounds and Edwards 17 and 5. Neither player is on an island; they will have plenty of help. But a lot of eyes will be on these two stars of the freshman class.
Can South Carolina limit Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers?
Fudd had 19 points (all in the first half) and Bueckers 16 against UCLA. The Bruins just couldn't execute the way they wanted on offense, and that made their defense even more suspect against UConn. If there's one thing South Carolina has been able to count on all season, it's defense. Bree Hall, the Gamecocks' primary defensive stopper on the perimeter, will have a busy afternoon against UConn.
Can South Carolina make the most of its bench strength?
Like their defense, the Gamecocks have had great production from their bench this season. And that could be a big factor if they can get the offensive boost from the bench (35 points) on Sunday that they did Friday. Along with Edwards, guards Tessa Johnson (9) and MiLaysia Fulwiley (7) helped do damage against Texas. -- Michael Voepel
UConn beats UCLA 85-51 in a dominant performance to set up a rematch against South Carolina in the national championship game.
(2) UConn vs.
(1) UCLA
Final: No. 2 UConn 85, No. 1 UCLA 51
How UConn beat UCLA: The Huskies took control of this game from the start with their offense, defense and experience. The first half was the Azzi Fudd show, as the UConn guard had 19 points in helping the Huskies to a 42-22 halftime lead.
UCLA struggled to work the ball into the players it wanted to get touches, and UConn had nine steals in the first half. Bruins coach Cori Close kept imploring her team to get up the court quicker, to pass more crisply and to not give Fudd so many open looks.
Then things didn't get any better in the second half for the Bruins, who finish the season at 34-3. Even though Fudd didn't score after halftime, it didn't hurt UConn at all. That's because freshman Sarah Strong proved just as lethal; she scored 14 points in the second half and finished with 22 to lead the Huskies.
Paige Bueckers didn't shoot at her usual efficiency -- 7-of-17 from the field -- but she still finished with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists, including a beautiful touch pass to teammate Kaitlyn Chen on a second-quarter fast break that will make highlight reels.
The No. 1 factor that helped UConn reach Sunday's title game: The Huskies' defense reduced UCLA to mostly a one player threat on offense. Center Lauren Betts had 26 points on 11-of-18 shooting and 5 rebounds. But the rest of the Bruins were 9 of 34 from the field, and none scored in double figures. The experience that UConn as a program and players like Bueckers individually have in the Final Four showed Friday. The Huskies looked comfortable, like this was just another game for them to show their stuff.
The Bruins, by contrast, seemed rattled and uncertain, not looking like the team that was ranked No. 1 for longer than any other program this season. But unless there are transfers or other departures, UCLA could bring back all of its players and make another run at the Final Four next year. This experience, painful as it was to be blown out in the national semifinals, could help that quest.
What is UConn's key in the championship game: The Huskies will face South Carolina in a rematch of the 2022 NCAA final won by the Gamecocks. South Carolina went into that game a favorite, but UConn -- despite being a No. 2 seed -- is likely considered the favorite Sunday. That's in part because of what UConn did to the Gamecocks when they met in Columbia, South Carolina, on Feb. 16 in an 87-58 victory.
Despite that result, Sunday should be what neither of Friday's semifinals were: a close game. The Huskies will need their big three of Bueckers, Fudd and Strong to keep doing what they've done all tournament: control the pace and momentum. -- Michael Voepel
Paige Bueckers discusses the joy of watching teammate Azzi Fudd thrive on the court post-injury and what it will take to beat South Carolina in the national championship.
An emotional Betts exits
An emotional Lauren Betts just checked out of the game for UCLA. She bent over crying at the end of the bench before taking a seat and putting a towel over her face. Just named the Lisa Leslie Award winner as the country's top center, she finished with 26 points and 5 rebounds. -- Katie Barnes
UConn pulling away as Betts lone bright spot for UCLA
UConn's lead now is 72-43 with 4:15 left. Lauren Betts is up to 23 points for UCLA, but no other Bruins have reached double figures. -- Michael Voepel
Stat fact: Sarah Strong is in elite company
Sarah Strong is the third freshman in UConn history with at least 20 points in a Final Four game.
Maya Moore did it in the 2008 semifinal against Stanford (20 points) and Breanna Stewart did it in the semis (29) and championship (23) in 2013. -- ESPN Research
One more period to play
The smallest momentum that UCLA gets is shut down almost immediately. The Huskies lead 60-37 at the end of the third quarter. UConn didn't get any points from Azzi Fudd in the third quarter, but didn't need any. Freshman Sarah Strong had 10 points and senior Paige Bueckers had 6 points in the quarter for the Huskies, who appear well on their way to a championship game matchup with South Carolina. -- Michael Voepel
UCLA fans feeling the pain
Even when things look like they are going right for UCLA, it just isn't panning out. After getting UConn deep into the shot clock and forcing a Paige Bueckers miss, the ball bounced around and landed with the Huskies. As Sarah Strong hit a 3-pointer to make it a 53-29 UConn lead, I heard a UCLA fan screaming "NOOOO." The despondence is palpable. -- Katie Barnes
Offensive struggles continue for Bruins
UConn is up 50-28 with 4:54 left in the third quarter. Again, nothing outside of Lauren Betts is working offensively for UCLA, which is 1 of 7 from 3-point range. Betts is 7 of 13 from the field; the rest of the Bruins are 5 of 19. -- Michael Voepel
Azzi Fudd drops 19 points in UConn's dominant first half vs. UCLA.
Halftime: UConn 42, UCLA 22
Most everything they have wanted has gone the UConn Huskies' way in the first half. Azzi Fudd leads all scorers with 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting, while Sarah Strong has 8 points and Paige Bueckers 6.
Center Lauren Betts has been the only big threat offensively for UCLA; she has 11 points on 5-of-10 shooting. This is the Bruins' lowest halftime total of the season; the previous low was 25.
The Bruins are shooting 41.7% (10 of 24). UCLA finished 9-for-15 in the paint, 1-for-9 outside of it. UConn is outscoring UCLA by 22 outside the paint.
The Bruins are struggling to move the ball against UConn's active defense. The Huskies have 9 first-half steals to just 1 for UCLA.
UConn is 64-0 when leading by 15 or more points at halftime in the NCAA tournament. So for UCLA to go to the championship game, the Bruins will need to have an epic comeback. -- Michael Voepel
Paige Bueckers nails the buzzer-beater from midrange to close out the first quarter vs. UCLA.
Close not happy with Bruins' D on Fudd
UCLA coach Cori Close appears disgusted that Azzi Fudd keeps getting open looks against the Bruins' defense and knocking them down. Close will have to challenge her team at halftime to do something to slow down Fudd. But that is very difficult. UConn leads 42-22 at halftime, and Fudd has 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting. -- Michael Voepel
Bueckers to Chen = chef's kiss
Paige Bueckers just did what I can only describe as a Superman touch pass assist to Kaitlyn Chen to give UConn a 17-point lead with 1:32 left in the first half. Definitely goes in the pantheon of great passes. -- Katie Barnes
Bruins work the paint
Almost all of UCLA's offensive success is coming in the paint. The Bruins are shooting 8-for-12 (67%) in the paint, with 10 of those points coming from Lauren Betts. Bruins trail UConn 32-20 with 4:01 left in the second quarter. -- Michael Voepel
Slow start for UCLA
With 4:57 left in the second quarter, UConn leads UCLA 29-17. The fewest points the Bruins have scored in a half this season is 25. They did that twice: in the first half vs. Oregon on Feb. 9 and the second half vs USC on Feb. 13. -- Michael Voepel
It's 11 and counting for Fudd
Azzi Fudd already has 11 points, which is more than she had in the Elite Eight against USC. Fudd started that game 0-for-9, but is 4-for-5 tonight. UConn leads 27-13 with 8:27 to play in the second quarter. -- Katie Barnes
Fudd heating up early
After banking in a 3-point shot from the top of the key, Azzi Fudd gave Paige Bueckers a little side-eye look as if to say, "I can't believe that went in, either." Azzi has hit her first three shots from the floor and is up to seven points early. -- Katie Barnes
Bruins need early adjustments
The Bruins so far have made it too easy for UConn to tip away passes meant for center Lauren Betts. UCLA needs to adjust to how it is getting her the ball. UConn is up 15-10 with 3:05 left in the first quarter of tonight's second semifinal. -- Michael Voepel
South Carolina takes down Texas to reach its third national championship game in four years.
South Carolina-Texas results and live analysis
(1) Texas vs.
(1) South Carolina
Final: South Carolina 74, Texas 57
How South Carolina beat Texas: There's a line in "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green about falling asleep: that it first happens slowly, and then all at once. That pretty much sums up what the Gamecocks did to Texas over the course of the game. South Carolina chipped away at Texas' early lead after getting All-American Madison Booker into foul trouble. Despite the early start from Texas, the Gamecocks limited their mistakes, got stops and hit shots. It's a simple formula, but South Carolina outscored Texas 20-9 in the third quarter to open a 14-point lead and never looked back. Texas coach Vic Schaefer pulled Booker halfway through the fourth quarter. The Gamecocks poured it on. Slowly, and then all at once.
The No. 1 factor that helped South Carolina reach Sunday's title game? South Carolina built a 14-point lead by the end of the third quarter, in part by feasting on paint points and easy buckets. The Gamecocks finished the game with 40 points in the paint and 15 fast-break points. They were 14-for-26 on layups. Joyce Edwards had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
In addition to scoring inside, South Carolina outrebounded Texas 36-28. The Gamecocks had their way inside, and then shot 63.6% from 3-point range to boot. It's tough to win when South Carolina is doing that.
South Carolina's key in the championship game? Bench production. After a rough performance against Duke that saw Edwards, MiLaysia Fulwiley and Tessa Johnson combine for nine points on 4-for-14 shooting, they showed up big for the Gamecocks. Those three combined for 29 points Friday and just three turnovers. Against Duke, the nine bench points were a season low, but it was a different story in Tampa. No matter who South Carolina faces, if the bench shows up, especially Fulwiley, Johnson and Edwards, the Gamecocks will have a great shot at successfully defending their title. -- Katie Barnes
Joyce Edwards punishes a Texas turnover with a powerful run to the rim for a South Carolina layup.
Hugs for Holle
Shay Holle, the all-time winningest player in Texas women's basketball history, was in tears as she came off the floor for the last time, knowing her season and career are about to come to an end. Her teammates rushed to give her a hug. -- Andrea Adelson
Gamecocks showing off the depth that got them here
All nine players who have gotten into the game for South Carolina have scored. This is the version of the Gamecocks that is so difficult to guard, even for an excellent defensive team like Texas. It's so hard to scheme against that. Plus, the Gamecocks' defense is very confident -- they are making everything a chore for Texas. This game has looked a lot like the two wins South Carolina got against Texas earlier this season: by 17 points in Columbia, South Carolina, in January and by 19 in the SEC tournament final in Greenville, South Carolina, in March. -- Michael Voepel
Edwards in rare company
Joyce Edwards is the second freshman in Final Four history with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in a game, joining Maryland's Marissa Coleman (2006). -- Alexa Philippou
What slump?
South Carolina freshman Joyce Edwards said Thursday that she hadn't been in any slumps in her young basketball career. So the three subpar scoring performances heading into the Final Four were uncharacteristic for her. But she seemed confident that she would get over that and play well in the national semifinals. She has done just that tonight. -- Michael Voepel
A'ja Wilson gets excited in the crowd for Tessa Johnson's bucket for South Carolina vs. Texas.
Edwards stepping up for Gamecocks
Joyce Edwards might have had a quiet start to the NCAA tournament, but tonight she looks like the version of herself we saw earlier this year. She's up to a team-high 12 points for the Gamecocks, while adding 10 boards, 4 assists and 1 steal. South Carolina is up 14, and she's a big reason why. -- Alexa Philippou
South Carolina pulling away
Indeed, Texas only has six points in the third quarter -- and South Carolina has found a way to build its lead with easy buckets in the paint -- including that last layup from Joyce Edwards, who is having her best NCAA tournament game since the opening round. South Carolina has 32 paint points so far in the game. -- Andrea Adelson
Advantage, South Carolina?
The Longhorns are in danger of letting this game get away from them. Coach Vic Schaefer just sat down in a huff after back-to-back offensive possessions before calling a timeout. South Carolina has opened a 13-point lead and feels on the cusp of running Texas out of the gym. -- Katie Barnes
Paopao powers South Carolina
Senior Te-Hina Paopao has made so many timely plays this game. She's up to 11 points on perfect shooting from the field (4-for-4 from field, including 2-for-2 on 3-pointers). And that steal and score felt particularly huge, giving the Gamecocks their first double-digit lead of the night. -- Alexa Philippou
Te-Hina Paopao cashes a 3 to give South Carolina their first lead of the game vs. Texas.
Halftime analysis: South Carolina 38, Texas 35
Somehow, despite Madison Booker playing just 9 minutes in the first half and having three fouls, Texas is not out of this game. South Carolina came back from being down eight in the first quarter and the Gamecocks look formidable. But if you told me Booker would have played less than a quarter of game time in the first half and Texas only trailed by three, I would have been shocked. Jordan Lee has been a huge bright spot for the Longhorns, filling the offensive gap left by Booker with 10 points.
South Carolina has gotten 18 of its 38 points from its bench, already surpassing a season low nine total bench points against Duke in the Elite Eight. -- Katie Barnes
Gamecocks lead = Gamecocks win?
Entering tonight, South Carolina has won 103 consecutive games when leading at halftime, the longest active streak in Division I. Its last such loss was March 6, 2022, in the SEC tournament versus Kentucky. Gamecocks lead 38-35 heading into the break. -- Alexa Philippou
Booker whistled for third foul with 2:29 left in second quarter, Texas up 33-31
And Madison Booker is now back out after picking up her third foul with 2:29 left before halftime -- the first time in her career she has three fouls in the first half of a game. She and Vic Schaefer could be heard telling the official, "That's a bad call!" -- Andrea Adelson
Texas move the ball quickly and get it to Madison Booker who hits another midrange jump shot vs. South Carolina.
Booker checks back in
Madison Booker is back in the game for the Longhorns. She sat for 8:03 with those two fouls, and Texas was outscored 20-14 over that span. -- Alexa Philippou
Texas leads 28-27, 4:33 left in second quarter
Chloe Kitts had been playing her best basketball going back to the SEC tournament, but after picking up an early foul, she has been limited to 6 minutes and has not attempted a shot. What's more she's got two turnovers. Her production was huge in helping South Carolina come from behind to beat Indiana and Duke. Something to keep an eye on as the game progresses. -- Andrea Adelson
Gamecocks bench looks better than it did in Birmingham
Another key to watch: The South Carolina bench. Joyce Edwards and MiLaysia Fulwiley are playing much better than they did against Duke, with a combined 11 points in the first quarter to key the comeback. In fact, South Carolina had 14 total bench points in the first quarter, more than the season-low nine they scored vs Duke. -- Andrea Adelson
Longhorns pouring on the points
Texas' 19 points in the first quarter are its most in any quarter versus South Carolina this season. -- Alexa Philippou
Texas leads 19-18 after the first quarter
My goodness. What a play from Joyce Edwards as the Gamecocks snag the momentum back following an eight-point deficit. Texas led 12-7 when Madison Booker subbed out with two fouls. Texas is up 19-18 as we head to the second frame. -- Alexa Philippou
Overheard on the Texas bench
Just heard Vic Schaefer say to his bench, "I didn't know she had a foul or else I'd take her out," presumably about Madison Booker. -- Alexa Philippou
Booker picks up second foul
Joyce Edwards just held up two fingers after that play -- she knows that Tessa Johnson just picked up Madison Booker's second foul and how huge that is for Texas. -- Alexa Philippou
Texas clicking on both ends
As Andrea pointed out, the Texas defense is doing what it does best, but what's extra notable is in the early going, the offense is clicking as well. Madison Booker has hit her first three shots and is already up to 6 points. The Longhorns are shooting 62.5% from the field in the first five minutes. -- Katie Barnes
Texas dominating
Texas has taken it to South Carolina in every aspect of this game, and is playing with far more energy in the early going. South Carolina has had slow starts previously, but not like this. Texas' D has held South Carolina to 2-of-8 shooting and already forced four turnovers -- Andrea Adelson
South Carolina in an early hole
This eight-point deficit for South Carolina matches its largest of the tournament. The Gamecocks also trailed by that many versus Indiana. -- Alexa Philippou
SGA reaches 20 pts. in 70th straight, passing MJ

HOUSTON -- Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reached 20 points Friday night against the Houston Rockets for the 70th straight game, moving past Michael Jordan for the fourth-longest single-season streak in NBA history.
Gilgeous-Alexander made 1 of 2 free throws at the end of the third quarter to give him 20 points and eclipse the 69-game streak Jordan had in 1990-91 and become the first player to have a 70-game streak since the 1960s.
He finished with 22 points in the Thunder's 125-111 loss to the Rockets, the No. 2 team behind OKC in the Western Conference, as Oklahoma City's win streak ended at 11.
Wilt Chamberlain tops the list with 80-game streaks in both the 1961-62 and 1963-64 seasons. Oscar Robertson is third with a 76-game streak in 1963-64.
Gilgeous-Alexander's streak began Nov. 1 when he scored 30 points against the Trail Blazers. It came a game after he managed just 18 points in a win over the Spurs, which was the only time this season when he didn't score at least 20 points.
Houston, which is second in the Western Conference, improved to 2-3 against the top-seeded Thunder with the win. Oklahoma City lost for the first time since March 10.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
'A big deal': Pistons climb from worst to playoffs

TORONTO -- One year after finishing with the worst record in the NBA, the Detroit Pistons are going to the playoffs for the first time since 2018-19.
The Pistons punched their postseason ticket with a 117-105 victory over Toronto on Friday night.
No NBA team has ever gone from a worse record than Detroit's 14 wins last season to earning a playoff berth the following year.
"It's a big deal," first-year Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. "We typically don't take time to reflect on where we are, but this is an opportunity for this group to reflect on where it is, where it's come from and what it's been able to accomplish together. To turn it around the way they have and put themselves in this position to play in the postseason, it's a big deal."
Detroit's Jalen Duren, who had 21 points and 18 rebounds Friday, said it felt good to reach the playoffs after not winning more than 17 games in either of his first two NBA seasons. Detroit is 43-34 with five games remaining.
"People doubted us," Duren said. "They didn't believe. They thought it would take longer for us to turn this thing around but we're here.
"We're not done yet. We're going to take a moment to enjoy what we've accomplished, but it's only milestones. The real goal, obviously, is to bring championships back to our city."
The Pistons finished eighth in the Eastern Conference and were swept by Milwaukee in the first round of the 2019 playoffs. Before that, Detroit's previous two playoff appearances were also eighth-place finishes and first-round sweeps, both to Cleveland, in 2016 and 2009.
The Pistons haven't won a playoff series since finishing second in the East in 2007-08, winning series over Philadelphia and Orlando before losing to Boston in the conference finals.
Duren said the Pistons won't be satisfied with simply reaching the playoffs.
"We're happy, but everybody's mindset is that this isn't the championship," Duren said. "We haven't done anything yet."

MILWAUKEE -- The Cincinnati Reds ended a 35-inning scoreless streak on Friday night when Christian Encarnacion-Strand hit a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning to drive in TJ Friedl in a 3-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Jeimer Candelario followed with an RBI double.
The 35-inning scoreless streak is tied for the fourth most in team history, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. The record is 45 innings in 1941.
The Reds played Friday night's game without first-year manager Terry Francona and several players who were sent back to the team hotel sick, although most key players were in the lineup. Bench coach Freddie Benavides took over managing duties.
"We're not really sure what the sickness is so we sent some staff members to the hotel, some players as well. Hopefully they're going to be better tomorrow," president of baseball operations Nick Krall said before the game.
Krall said source of the illness remains unclear.
The last time the Reds had at least 35 consecutive scoreless innings was from Sept. 8 to Sept. 12, 1946 when they went 37 innings without a run, according to Sportradar,
The major league record for consecutive scoreless innings is 48, by the Chicago Cubs from June 15 to June 21, 1968 and the Philadelphia Athletics from Sept. 22 to Sept. 26, 1906.
The Reds had lost three consecutive 1-0 three games had not happened since May 1960 when the Philadelphia Phillies did it.
Cincinnati appeared to be in danger of a fourth consecutive shutout, especially after being held without a hit through six innings against the Brewers before Gavin Lux hit a seventh-inning single.
The last team to get shut out in four consecutive games was the Kansas City Royals from Aug. 25 to Aug. 28, 2017.
Losing three straight 1-0 games has only occurred six times in MLB history, and four of those instances were over a century ago. Nobody has ever lost 1-0 in four straight games. The last time the Reds were shut out in four straight was in 1931.
The other teams to lose 1-0 in three consecutive games were the Brooklyn Superbas in 1908, the St. Louis Browns and Washington Senators in 1909 and the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1917.

Edinburgh held off the Lions to book their place in the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup.
The home side took control from the off and crossed for first-half tries from Wes Goosen, Ben Vellacott and Jamie Ritchie.
Frencke Horn and Jaco Visagie hit back for the South African side after the break either side of a try from Ali Price for the home side, but it was not enough as Edinburgh ensured their passage to the last eight.
Sean Everitt's side will face either Bayonne or Vodacom Bulls at home in next weekend's quarter-finals.
The low point of Edinburgh's season was a grisly 55-21 URC hammering by the Lions in Johannesburg in October.
The South African side are a different proposition away from home, however, and it took Edinburgh just 80 seconds to carve them open, Goosen marking his 50th appearance for the club by finishing off a slick attack.
The home side started at a high tempo, aided by the sharp service of Vellacott, and the scrum-half darted through a gap around the fringes to score Edinburgh's second try.
An electric break from deep from Darcy Graham took Edinburgh into back into the red zone before Ritchie powered over to give the hosts a 17-0 lead at the break.
The capital side looked to be cruising to victory after a dominant first-half performance, but the Lions took the initiative after the break and a try from captain Horn gave them hope.
The match lost its fluency through a succession of stoppages and replacements, with neither side able to exert any meaningful pressure near their opponent's line.
That was until Matt Currie sliced through the Lions defence on a terrific line and found substitute Price on his shoulder for the score.
Lions were not done yet and substitute hooker Visagie stretched brilliantly for the line to bring the visitors back within 12, but it was too little and too late as Edinburgh saw it out to progress to the quarter-finals.
"The guys put in a tremendous amount of effort in the first half and played some scintillating rugby," Everitt said.
"Probably could have scored some more tries if we're being picky, but pleased with how we defended. It was a good performance all-round.
"It's a massive opportunity [in the quarter-finals]. For us, it's back to work on Monday and trying to improve on this performance."

Pau: Luc; Roudil (c), Klemenczak, Brau-Boirie, Grandidier Nkanang; Desperes, Souverbie; Calles, Dehommel, Williams, Jolmes, Tagitagivalu, Kpoku, Hamonou, C Tuipulotu.
Replacements: Ruffenach, Parrou, Tokolahi, Picquette, Maximin, Hewat, Robson, Manu.
Bath: McConnochie; Cokanasiga, Ojomoh, Butt, Muir; Donoghue, Spencer (c); Obano, Dunn, Griffin Roux, Molony, Bayliss, Underhill, Red.
Replacements: K Tuipulotu, Van Wyk, Verden, Richards, Hill, Carr-Smith, Bailey, Coetzee.
Red card: Underhill (55 mins).
Referee: Hollie Davidson.

LOS ANGELES -- Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl is "out short term" but should return "well before" the playoffs begin after suffering a lower-body injury against the San Jose Sharks the previous night, coach Kris Knoblauch said Friday.
Draisaitl, who leads the NHL with 52 goals this season, didn't practice Friday and won't play against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. He missed the second half of the second period and all of the third period in a 3-2 win over the Sharks.
Knoblauch expects Draisaitl back before the postseason begins on April 19, when the Oilers are likely to face the Kings in the first round for the fourth straight year.
"We think it's going to be back well before that, so we're not too concerned, especially with Leon's pain tolerance and things that he's played through before, but he will be missing some time," Knoblauch said.
Draisaitl missed four games in late March because of an undisclosed injury. Knoblauch said this new ailment is unrelated.
Draisaitl was on pace to set a career high in scoring after reaching the 50-goal mark for the third time in four seasons, and his 106 points are third in the league.
The one-two punch of Draisaitl and fellow superstar center Connor McDavid powered the Oilers to the Stanley Cup finals last year, but Edmonton is currently without both players as they try to chase down the Kings for second place in the Pacific Division and home-ice advantage for the first round.
McDavid has not played since suffering a lower-body injury in a collision with Winnipeg defenseman Josh Morrissey on March 20.
In spite of those absences, Edmonton has won three straight and is 7-2-1 in its past 10 games.
"It's impressive," forward Trent Frederic said. "Even last night, it's a big win there. ... No, the team's looked unreal."
Frederic was acquired from the Boston Bruins in a three-team trade on March 4 but has yet to play for the Oilers because of an ankle injury. He took part in practice Friday and could make his Edmonton debut on Saturday.
Every way to bet on Alex Ovechkin's goals record chase

Alex Ovechkin continues his chase to break Wayne Gretzky's all-time regular season NHL goals scoring record of 894. Ovechkin has been on a scoring tear this season, with 39 goals in 59 games to give him a total of 892, despite missing time with a broken leg. Both Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals have been surprisingly hot this season, with Ovechkin logging his best goals per game ratio in years and the Capitals at the top of the Eastern Conference.
Ovechkin is one of the most distinguished players to step on the NHL ice, winning three Hart Trophies for most valuable player, nine Rocket Richard Trophies for most goals scored in a season and the 2017 Stanley Cup, the first championship in franchise history. Here are the remaining games for Ovechkin and the Capitals. Next up is a home game Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
For sports bettors, Ovechkin has been one of the NHL's most popular bets as he continues to get closer to the Great One's mark. Here are the special markets on ESPN BET Sportsbook to bet on Ovechkin's record chase.
Latest odds as of publication. For odds movement, go to ESPN BET.
Relevant links: Ovechkin goals tracker | Odds to win conference, Stanley Cup | Fantasy hockey | How to watch the NHL on ESPN
Ovechkin's odds vs. Chicago on Friday (Watch live on ESPN+):
First goal-scorer: +650
To score 2-plus goals: +450
To score 3-plus goals: 19-1
Over/Under 0.5 total goals: -165/+120
O/U 3.5 shots on goal: +115/-160
O/U 1.5 total points: +145/-190
O/U 0.5 assists: +110/-145
O/U 0.5 power play points: +170/-230
For more from ESPN:

LOS ANGELES -- U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson said the federation would strongly support expansion of the Women's World Cup to 48 teams in 2031.
U.S. Soccer submitted the only "valid bid" for the 2031 tournament prior to FIFA's deadline, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Thursday.
"Forty-eight teams is something that we've been passionate supporters for," Batson told a small group of reporters Friday. "We think it would be incredible for growing the women's game."
Infantino has previously proposed the idea of expanding the competition to 48 teams. Batson said that "all signs are positive" for expansion to 48 teams, and that U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone would use her new seat on the FIFA Council to voice that support.
The United States is expected to co-host the 2031 Women's World Cup with other Concacaf nations. Batson said that the number of teams participating in the tournament will dictate which other countries join the U.S. as hosts.
Mexico previously joined the U.S. in a 2027 Women's World Cup joint bid that was ultimately abandoned to allow the U.S. to focus on 2031. Brazil will host the 32-team 2027 tournament.
The UK submitted the only "valid bid" to host the 2035 Women's World Cup. FIFA had previously set geographic restrictions on which continents could host each event.
The Women's World Cup expanded from 16 to 24 teams in 2015, then expanded to 32 teams in 2023.
The 2026 Men's World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., will feature 48 teams for the first time.
"One of the things we hear from folks who lead federations around the world is they view the Women's World Cup as an opportunity for them to, one, make a World Cup and, two, really go compete in a way that conceivably they wouldn't be able to on the men's side," Batson said. "So, what this would lead to in terms of spurring investment all around the world in women's and girls' soccer, we think would be incredible."
The U.S. hosted the 1999 and 2003 editions of the Women's World Cup, the latter by emergency due the SARS epidemic in China, the original host for that year. Canada hosted the 2015 Women's World Cup.
Both Batson and NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman used the term "catalyst" in describing the opportunity to host the 2031 tournament.
"I think to the extent people see the Men's World Cup as a catalyst for the growth of men's soccer here, the Women's World Cup being here in 2031 is directly a catalyst for growth," Berman told ESPN, referencing 1999 as an inflection point.
"The idea that we actually will have a thriving league going into it and coming out of it, no doubt should create and incredible amount of excitement for the future of the NWSL and we absolutely will capitalize on it."
USWNT head coach Emma Hayes described a 2031 World Cup in the U.S. as "dreamland," citing the existing infrastructure for next year's Men's World Cup, which will also take place in Mexico and Canada.
Hayes, who grew up in England but started her professional coaching career in the U.S., expressed excitement for both 2031 and 2035.
"It's fair to say, in whatever capacity -- fan or coaching -- I will for sure be at those World Cups," Hayes said.