NC State women's basketball falls in Elite Eight thriller
The game was an instant classic, but NC State women’s basketball came up on the short end of a 91-87 double overtime thriller to Connecticut in Bridgeport, Conn.
The top-seeded Wolfpack, forced by the NCAA Selection Committee to play a de facto road game against the Huskies, ends a season for the ages in program history with a 32-4 record. Connecticut advanced to its 14th straight Final Four by winning the first ever double overtime game in NCAA Women’s Tournament Elite Eight history.
“It was pretty remarkable,” Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma said. “That’s one of the best games I have ever been a part of since I‘ve been at UConn, regular season or postseason, doesn’t really matter.
“It was just amazing the 10 kids that were on the court are playing for their lives. Nobody wanted to lose. Everybody is making big play after big play.”
The two teams put on a show worthy of being considered the game of the year in college basketball, men or women.
“Couldn’t be prouder of our players, come in, tough environment, great team and went toe to toe with them,” head coach Wes Moore said. “That’s the way they’ve been for the whole season.”
“If they’re two teams out there better than this one, holy moly,” Auriemma added, referring to NC State’s No. 3 ranking.
In regulation, NC State had the chance to win it. The Pack held for a last shot, but senior guard Kai Crutchfield’s long three missed the mark. Moore expressed regret about not calling his last timeout to set up a better shot, noting they were walking a fine balance of not trying to leave any time on the clock.
“I wish I had that possession over,” Moore said.
Connecticut then appeared to have the advantage in the first regulation until Wolfpack junior guard Jakia Brown-Turner hit a corner three to tie the score with 0.8 seconds left.
Ultimately, Connecticut sophomore star Paige Bueckers, the reigning national player of the year, delivered a performance that earned her the Regional Most Valuable Player and carried her team to a win. She made 10 of 15 shots from the field, including a three-pointer to start the second overtime, and finished with a game-high 27 points while playing 45 minutes.
NC State twice cut Connecticut’s lead to two points late in second overtime, but the Huskies were able to break the Pack’s defense for layups.
Brown-Turner led NC State with 20 points and eight rebounds, while senior center Elissa Cunane added 18 points and nine boards. Five NC State players scored in double figures, and senior guard Raina Perez, held to three points, had 10 assists with just one turnover.
For Cructchfield, Cunane, Perez and Kayla Jones, who had 12 points and nine boards, Monday marked the end of their careers in which they led NC State to three straight ACC championships.
“As great of players they are, they are even better people,” Moore added. “It’s been such an honor to be around them, work with them.”
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