Mississippi State beats UConn in OT on William's buzzer-beater

Posted: March 31, 2017 -- 11:42 pm CST.

DALLAS, TX (American Airlines Center) -- Itty Bitty did it. Morgan William (all 5 foot, 5 inches of her) nailed a pull-up jumper with no time remaining to defeat the UConn Huskies 66-64 in a thrilling overtime national semifinal victory in front of a sell-out crowd of 19,202 fans.

William's basket set off a jubilant reaction from everyone associated with Mississippi State University.

Mississippi State will face South Carolina Sunday afternoon (5:30 p.m. tip-off) in an all-SEC match-up for the NCAA Division I championship. The last time two SEC teams squared off in the championship game was 1996 when Tennessee defeated Georgia 83-65.

Mississippi State led UConn by as much as 16 points (29-13) early in the second quarter; but, the Huskies responded and trimmed the Bulldogs' halftime lead to 36-28.

UConn took a 40-39 lead in the third quarter thanks to a 12-1 run. Mississippi State tied the game at 40; then, neither team enjoyed a lead larger than 4 points the rest of the ball game.

Mississippi State's put the Bulldogs ahead 60-59 with a clutch three-point basket; then, UConn's Napheesa Collier split two free throws with 28 seconds remaining to set up a final possession in regulation for the Bulldogs.

William had a chance to win in regulation; but, UConn's Gabby Williams blocked the shot to send the game into the extra session.

Both teams struggled to score in overtime; and, with 26.6 seconds remaining in the game, the referees called Mississippi State's Dominique Willingham for a flagrant foul (long after the incidental contact actually occurred). Katie Lou Samuelson made both free throws to tie the game at 64; and, UConn kept possession of the ball.

UConn Saniya's Chong committed a turnover which set up the final possession for Mississippi State.

After a timeout, Morgan William took her time before making the game-winner.

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