Huskies lose to Syracuse 80-59 in Final Four

INDIANAPOLIS — The most surprising underdog in the women’s Final Four boasted momentum, confidence and swagger.

Seventh-seeded University of Washington Huskies took on the Syracuse Orange on Sunday at 5:30 p.m.

Syracuse outscored UW, however, ending the fourth quarter 80 to 59.

At halftime, the score was 43-31.

Alexis Peterson scored 18 points and Brittney Sykes added 17 to help Syracuse roll past Washington and into the program's first women's national championship game.

The Orange (30-7) will face UConn, the three-time defending champions, on Tuesday night in Indianapolis. The Huskies set a semifinal round record with a 29-point victory over Pac-12 champion Oregon State in the early game.

Washington (26-11) was led by Talia Walton, who had 29 points and made a Final Four record eight 3-pointers. The previous record of six was set by Katie Steding in the 1990 title game and matched in 2013 by Antonita Slaughter. Kelsey Plum, the nation's No. 3 scorer, had 17 points.

But Syracuse rode its defense and took a 23-12 lead after one quarter, extended the lead to 39-20 midway through the second quarter and never let the Huskies get within single digits again.

The story line looked awfully familiar.

In their first meeting this season, Syracuse built a 21-point lead before Washington rallied to within one. The Orange held on for a 66-62 victory.

This time, Syracuse never let it get that close.

When Washington cut the halftime deficit to 43-31, Peterson hit a 3 to start a 9-4 spurt that made it 52-35. When the Huskies got within 11, Syracuse used a 15-2 run to make it 67-43. And when Washington closed to 72-59 midway through the fourth quarter, Sykes and Brianna Butler made back-to-back 3s to seal it.

Now the Orange will try to prevent their former Big East foe, UConn, from winning a fourth straight national title and finishing another perfect season.

Earlier this week, King County Executive Dow Constantine honored the team -- proclaiming April 3, 2016 as "UW Husky Women's Basketball Day."

The teams faced off in Indianapolis, Indiana.

>> Follow KIRO 7's Cale Ramaker Twitter account for LIVE updates during the game.

This game marked the first time that the UW women have ever played in the Final Four. They shocked nearly everyone, pulling off a major upset last weekend to advance in the NCAA Tournament.

This didn't go unnoticed -- especially by Seattle Mayor Ed Murray.

Here’s what you need to know about the women’s Huskies team as they play in the big dance.

1. When did the UW Huskies play in the Final Four? 

The team played on Sunday at 5:30 p.m.

2. Who did they play against? 

Syracuse.

3. Where was the game?

The game was in Indianapolis.

4. How did the UW Huskies get to the Final Four? 

Experts had given the team no chance to get this far, but a major upset came when the Huskies advanced to the Elite Eight with a victory over Kentucky.

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Then Washington defeated Stanford 85-76 in the NCAA Lexington Regional final to earn its first women's basketball Final Four appearance.

Stanford, the No. 4 seed, was seeking its 13th Final Four appearance overall, and seventh in the last nine years.

"We're not done yet," Washington coach Mike Neighbors said. "'What's next?' has been our motto. It's going to continue to be all the way through Indy."

5. Who are some players I should know? 

When Washington defeated Stanford, guard Kelsey Plum scored 26 points and forward/center Chantel Osahor had 24 points and 18 rebounds during the Washington-Stanford game.

Osahor, who had shot a combined 3-of-13 and had averaged just 4.5 points in Washington's two previous games with Stanford, was a model of efficiency Sunday.

In the win over Maryland leading to the Sweet Sixteen, Forward Talia Walton scored 20 points in in the biggest game of her college career.

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6. Who else is in the final four?

Oregon State faced off against UConn on Sunday night.

Cox Media Group