{"id":61923,"date":"2018-03-31T09:39:52","date_gmt":"2018-03-31T09:39:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/?p=61923"},"modified":"2018-03-31T09:39:52","modified_gmt":"2018-03-31T09:39:52","slug":"mississippi-state-returns-to-national-championship-after-beating-louisville-in-final-four","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/sports\/mississippi-state-returns-to-national-championship-after-beating-louisville-in-final-four.html","title":{"rendered":"Mississippi State returns to national championship after beating Louisville in Final Four"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mississippi State returns to national championship after beating Louisville in Final Four<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

After Roshunda Johnson made the biggest 3-pointer of her life to send the game to overtime, Mississippi State gathered in a huddle near its bench and Vic Schaefer\u2019s message to the Bulldogs was a succinct reminder.<\/span><\/p>\n

They were built for this.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe always tell us that, and that this was our \u2018one more,\u2019\u201d Blair Schaefer said. \u201cWhen it gets tough, that\u2019s when it gets just right for us. We really enjoyed that moment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Then they won the game. Mississippi State is back in the national championship after a thrilling 73-63 win in overtime against Louisville in the Final Four.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo be real with you,\u201d Morgan William said, \u201cI just knew we were going to win when we got to the overtime.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Mississippi State (36-1) will play the UConn-Notre Dame winner at 5 p.m. Sunday, the Bulldogs looking to claim their first-ever championship in any sport.<\/span><\/p>\n

Until Friday night, one could only imagine how this great Mississippi State team would get here. With Teaira McCowan and Victoria Vivians stacked together with three knock-down perimeter shooters, the Bulldogs, on paper, of course, seemed destined for greatness. But it was only when the blueprint came to life here with the pieces performing precisely the way they should, that the vision was able to be realized.<\/span><\/p>\n

It took 21 points and 25 rebounds from McCowan.<\/span><\/p>\n

It took 25 points from Victoria Vivians, who made a critical layup with 6:47 left in the fourth that cut Louisville\u2019s lead to 53-46 and jumpstarted a 10-0 run for MSU.<\/span><\/p>\n

It took Johnson\u2019s 3-pointer. Out of a timeout, William found Johnson on the left wing and she hit a 3-pointer to tie it at 59 with seven seconds left in the fourth quarter.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was on the opposite side of the court and I was just thinking, \u2018This looks so good \u2026 This looks so good,\u2019\u201d Blair said. \u201cThen it went in and I was just like, \u2018Way to shoot it, baby!\u2019 You have to have that confidence.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Johnson was 1-of-5 from the field and 0-of-2 on 3-pointers on the night before that shot went in.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI do what my team needs me to do,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cWe have weapons like Teaira and Tori, and teams focus on that, so it\u2019s great.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Source:-https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/sports\/college\/mississippi-state\/2018\/03\/30\/mississippi-state-vs-louisville-ncaa-final-four-live-updates-news-scores\/474595002\/<\/span><\/p>\n

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