Women’s NCAA Division I basketball Final Four

Women’s NCAA Division I basketball Final Four saw both games go to overtime for the first time in the 37 years of this tournament Saturday night before a packed house in Columbus, Ohio Mississippi State tops Louisville, 73-63, and Notre Dame turns back University of Connecticut, 91-89, for the Huskies’ first loss in 36 starts

By Arnie Leshin 

It was well worth the price of admission. In the 37 years of the women’s NCAA Division l Basketball Championship, never, ever have has there been a Final Four like Friday’s night’s twin thrillers in Columbus, Ohio.

They matched the four No. 1 seeds, Mississippi State and Louisville in the opener and University of Connecticut versus Notre Dame in the closer.

Where do you start? How about the Bulldogs (37-1) who lost in last year’s final to South Carolina, putting together a dominating overtime to shake the Cardinals, 73-63, and end their campaign at 35-3.

And Mississippi State, which won on a buzzer-beater to stun UConn in overtime in last year’s semifinals in Dallas, was probably hoping for another shot at the Huskies. The Bulldogs wanted the pleasure of halting a second-straight UConn unbeaten streak, but the Irish took care of that in handing the Huskies their first setback in 36 starts.

And yes, it happened again to UConn in the semifinal overtime.

Yes, this one also went into overtime. Like the opener, it was a classic in Notre Dame’s 91-89 victory in what was the 49th time the two schools have met on the basketball court. But if there was any team that had no fear of the program with a record 11 national titles, it was the Irish, and it proved so.

Yes, this wasn’t the first time Geno Auriemma’s team had lost to the green, who twice before defeated it in the national semis.

It was a game of 17 lead changes and six ties before a packed house. It was the Irish in front by five points with 13.5 remaining in regulation. But 6-1 junior Napheese Collier hit a corner 3 and 6-foot senior Kia Nurse followed with a steal and an easy layup to tie the score.

In overtime, the Huskies already had three starters with four fouls, and this in fact kept them from having 6-3 junior Katie Lou Samuelson defending inside.

Again, Notre Dame held a 5-point advantage with 22 seconds left, but again UConn made a final push on a 3 from 5-5 sophomore point guard
Crystal Dangerfield, and a follow-up layup by Stevens.

Then Notre Dame called its last time out. ,

And again, the season ended for the Huskies the same way as last year. The ball went to 5-8 junior Arike Ocubowate and she pulled up in the final seconds to hit a fade away jumper with 1 second left. UConn fired it down court, but it never made it and it was celebration time for the Irish.

The free throw line also made a difference, with Notre Dame making its first 13 foul shots and finishing at 19-for-23 while the Huskies could convert only 4-of-6. UConn had more field goals, 38-33, but the charity stripe was good to Notre Dame (36-2).

It received excellent outside shooting from the dynamic duo of 5-8 sophomore Jackie Young (32) points) and Oguntowate (20 points). From behind the 3-point line, Young deposited a trio of 3s and Oguntowate made a pair. Young also made good on 13-of-14 freebies.

Stevens, who came off the bench to rally the Huskies from 24-14 deficit after one quarter, came away with 19 points, brought down 11 rebounds and blocked three shots. It was her work that brought a 41-34 halftime advantage.

Collier had the team-high 23 points. UConn had an edge on rebounds, 41-38, but it was the Irish’s march to the foul line that offset this and sent the Huskies home at 36-1.

They lose two seniors, Nurse and 5-11 Gabby Williams, but as usual they have a very good recruiting class coming in, and this includes consensus Prep Player of the Year Christyn Williams and 6-4 high-flying Olivia Nelson-Ododa.

(Gabby) Williams finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and four blocks.

Notre Dame, which lost earlier by 11 points to UConn, has four seniors, but none are starters. It, too, will be helped by recruits. Oguntowate played all 45 minutes.

Mississippi State was playing in its second-straight semis overtime. And with this had no problem outscoring Louisville 14-4 in those five minutes. The Bulldogs led 31-30 at the half, but trailed 47-45 after three quarters. This one had 15 turnovers and eight ties.

Game time for the championship game is 7 p.m. (EST) on Sunday. There will be a new champion again.