UConn women's basketball survives NC State in double overtime to advance to 14th straight Final Four

By Jill Martin, CNN

Updated 0343 GMT (1143 HKT) March 29, 2022

The UConn Huskies pose for photos with the regional championship trophy after defeating North Carolina State 91-87 in double overtime in the Elite Eight in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

(CNN)The University of Connecticut women's basketball team is no stranger to making the trip to the Final Four in the NCAA tournament. But this was one of the most unlikely — and thrilling — journeys of all, as UConn defeated No. 1 seed North Carolina State in double overtime in the Elite Eight, 91-87.

This is the first time in women's NCAA tournament history a game in the Elite Eight or beyond needed double overtime, according to the NCAA. With the win, UConn advances to the Final Four for the 14th consecutive time.«It's one of the best games I've ever been a part of since I've been at UConn,» Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma said. «Regular season, postseason, it doesn't really matter. It was just amazing the way the 10 kids that are on the court are playing for their lives. Nobody wants to lose, and everybody's making big play after big play. Nobody backed down from the moment. It's a shame one of us had to lose, right? It would be great if both of us could go. If there's two teams out there better than this one, holy moly.»Connecticut guard Paige Bueckers scored 15 of her 27 points during the overtime periods.Paige Bueckers led UConn with 27 points — 15 of those coming in the extra two periods. It was her best game of the season since returning from surgery to repair an anterior tibial plateau fracture and lateral meniscus tear. Bueckers suffered the injury on December 5 and had surgery December 13.«Two days ago I said, win or go home, but we won, and I'm still going home,»