Posted 04/01/17, 10:23 AM | By: Anthony  Mazur

DALLAS (AM News Net)  – Undefeated this season and returning to the NCAA Women's Final Four for the 10th consecutive season, the UConn Huskies (36-1) were in for a surprise Friday night as they were defeated in a shocking upset by Mississippi State (34-4).

UConn head coach Geno Auriemma, who coached Team USA at the Olympics and named the AP national coach of the year, warned previously that the Huskies had to be cautious playing Mississippi State, considering their shootout that knocked out Baylor from the Elite Eight.

The Huskies, with a 111 game winning-streak entering the championship, fell 66-64 however in a shocking upset with an OT buzzer-beater by Mississippi State's 5'5" Morgan William.

The Bulldogs pounced in the first quarter, scoring 22 points to UConn's 13. Mississippi State extended their lead into half time, up 36-28.

The Huskies responded desperately, bringing the score to only a one point deficit in the third quarter, then taking the lead after gaining momentum for the first time in the game. The attempt to take over the court only prompted an all-out battle with each team trying to take the lead back. 

A 59-56 score was the highest lead UConn had in the entire game, and the constant back-and-forth scoring lead to a tie which had to be settled in OT.

A flagrant called on the Bulldogs and a possession back to UConn almost sealed the deal, but it seems the Huskies' fate was sealed, and the Bulldogs' Morgan William scored a buzzer-beater in overtime, prompting an uproar in the American Airlines Center.

Strangely, UConn head coach Geno Auriemma was smiling at the end.

"I know how to appreciate when other people win," Auriemma said.

Auriemma, while feeling bad, congratulated the Bulldogs.

"[The Bulldogs] deserved to win," he said. "Normally, we're a little more patient."

The loss, it seemed, was inevitable at some point.

"We're playing above our years, and tonight it caught up with us," Auriemma said.

Morgan Williams and the Mississippi State players were all smiles as well.

"I had to redeem myself for last year," Morgan William said, referencing a 60 point loss.

Mississippi State head coach Vic Shaefer explained the fanbase was special. Schaefer, who used to coach high school, other colleges, explained that it was the team bond that allows them to go through tough times. At points in his career, Shaefer told about telling his team that they could only order off the left side of the menu at dinner, or would call ahead to try and secure free lemonade if he brought his team to attempt to save every penny of his shoestring budget.

"When you grow up in these humble beginnings, it really keeps you grounded," Schaefer said. "It makes you appreciate what you have."

Schaefer also reminisced of how he had more time to spend with his team back in the 90's.

"I miss being on a bus with my kids, watching a movie, talking, showing, hey, come up here, we'll watch film," he said. "That's a bonding time that is really special at that level and you don't get it at this level. That's what I really miss. Not that I wan't to go back to that, but that's a piece of that era  that I do miss. So it is special. But I wouldn't trade it. I would not trade it for anything, absolutely not."

The Bulldogs though are for sure entering, or rather creating, a new era. Mississippi State will take on South Carolina tomorrow at 5:00 PM for the championship.

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