Obama lauds champion Baylor Lady Bears

WASHINGTON, July 18 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama Wednesday congratulated the Baylor Lady Bears on their undefeated season and second national championship.

And the president, speaking to the team at the White House, said he's picking the women's basketball team to repeat in his NCAA bracket next year.

The Lady Bears were undefeated -- a perfect 40-0 -- on their way to their second national title.

"I picked Baylor over Notre Dame, but I have to say, I wasn't the only one," Obama said. "It wasn't that hard. Because if there's one thing to describe this team, it was dominant."

Obama had praise for Coach Kim Mulkey, star players Brittney Griner and Odyssey Sims, and other players for buckling down after a tough loss to Texas A&M in the Elite Eight in 2011, saying they have not lost a game since.

"This is coach's fifth [career] national championship -- she just -- she likes to win if you haven't noticed," he said.

"This team just sets a terrific example for girls everywhere -- as athletes, as scholars, as leaders in their community. I could not be prouder of this team," Obama said adding, "as the father of two daughters who are tall and beautiful just like them, it is great to have role models who can show that women can be strong and athletic and competitive, but also play as a team."

Obama's daughters, Sasha and Malia, both play basketball.