The UConn women’s basketball season ended in heartbreak with a clutch shot by Notre Dame’s Arike Ogunbowale in the final seconds of overtime.
A step-back jumper from the junior guard sent Notre Dame to Sunday’s championship game against Mississippi State. They’re the last two teams who have beaten UConn in the Final Four.
The top-seeded Huskies finish their season 36-1.This was seen as a chance for redemption after the 2017 loss, but instead it felt like a deja vu.
“For a long, long time we made it look like it was easy. But it’s very very difficult as it played out the last two years,” head coach Geno Auriemma said.
Morgan Williams’ buzzer-beating shot from Mississippi State’s win last year had been show on repeat since the tournament started.
In Friday’s semifinal game, the Huskies trailed by as many as 13 points but the Huskies wouldn’t go away.
Late in the four quarter, Notre Dame was up by five points and a three-pointer by Napheesa Collier, and a steal and layup by senior Kia Nurse with 15 seconds left in the game brought UConn back to life.
Senior Gabby Williams had the chance to win the game in regulation but missed her shot and overtime would be needed.
Notre Dame took the lead in overtime, but again, sophomore Crystal Dangerfield hit a deep three to tie the game.
And just like last year, Notre Dame had the last possession and hit the last shot.
“They made one more big play tonight than we did,” Auriemma said.
UConn is 0-7 in overtime games. Four of those games were against Notre Dame.