WBB: Overtime thriller wows Bridgeport, pushes Huskies to the Final Four
BRIDGEPORT - A trying season by the University of Connecticut’s other-worldly women’s basketball standards saw several victorious streaks come to an end. Thus, it was only appropriate that its final stages end a rare drought in the program’s illustrious record books.
The second-seeded Huskies (29-5) are back in the Final Four after winning their first NCAA Tournament contest that required extra periods to decide in six tries, topping the top-ranked North Carolina State Wolfback by an 91-87 final in double overtime at Total Mortgage Arena, clinching the Bridgeport Regional. UConn will appear in its 14th consecutive Final Four behind the strength of a resurgent Paige Bueckers, who formally reintroduced herself to national affairs with a 22-point showing that saw her sink 8–of–12 from the field. Fellow underclassman Azzi Fudd put in 19, while senior Christyn Williams helped the Huskies build an early lead 11 points in the first half before helping the Huskies seal the deal with their final five points.
A year of resilience in the UConn corner culminated in the eventual demise of the No. 1 Wolfpack (32-4) who were denied their first visit to the national semifinals since 1998. Jakia Brown-Turner wound up only delaying the inevitable with a three-point that fell with 0.3 seconds remaining, forcing the game into a sixth period. She and Elissa Cunane led the team with 18 points each.
It was an emotional victory for the Huskies, who were forced to work through all of the second half and overtime with the services of Dorka Juhasz, who left the game with a painful wrist injury in the second quarter.
(This story will be updated)
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
