COLUMBUS – The Mississippi State Bulldogs came up clutch in the Final Four for the second consecutive year as they earned a spot in the National Championship game with a 73-63 overtime victory over the Louisville Cardinals at Nationwide Arena on Friday night.
With the Bulldogs trailing with seconds to go, Roshunda Johnson nailed a 3-pointer to force the game into overtime. Louisville had one final shot to win the game in regulation but Jazmine Jones’ shot went off the rim as time expired.
In the extra period, Victoria Vivians scored five consecutive points and Teaira McCowan cleaned up the glass to seal the win for Mississippi State.
Vivians led the way for the Bulldogs with 25 points but the night belonged to McCowan, who had a monster night with 21 points and 25 rebounds.
The victory sees Mississippi State reach the title game for the second straight year, making them the first team to do so since the Tennessee Vols in 2007-08.
Mississippi State will face the winner of Notre Dame/UConn in the National Championship game on Sunday afternoon at 5 p.m. CST on ESPN 2.
