UConn tops NC State for trip to Final Four in Minneapolis as Bueckers thrills in double overtime

BRIDGEPORT, CONN. – Paige Bueckers didn't get the chance to put a celebratory bow on her decorated high school career after the pandemic forced the cancellation of the state championship game her senior year at Hopkins.

Bueckers' next basketball game will come in her home state on a much bigger stage. She's hoping to enjoy a fairy-tale moment after all.

The UConn Huskies extended a remarkable streak by advancing to their 14th consecutive Final Four with an incredible 91-87 win over N.C. State in double overtime of the regional final here Monday night.

Bueckers, the reigning National Player of the Year, finished with a game-high 27 points, including 15 during an electric run through two overtimes, in what amounted to a home game for the Huskies at Total Mortgage Arena.

Injuries and illness disrupted UConn's season until recently when Bueckers returned to the lineup after missing 19 games following knee surgery. This was her highest point total since coming back.

A healthy lineup made UConn the favorite to emerge from the region as the No. 2 seed and advance to Minneapolis. Bueckers will return to a place where she gained an enormous fan following as the nation's top recruit.

The Wolfpack relied on their veteran experience all season. All five starters had played in 90-plus career games. Three "super" seniors used their bonus season of eligibility to return for one final chance to script a different ending after failing to advance past the Sweet 16 last season as the No. 1 seed.

But Bueckers incredible run meant N.C. State fell just short of making its first Final Four appearance since 1998.