UConn seeks fifth straight Final Four

? Diana Taurasi’s last game in Connecticut could produce a first for women’s basketball.

Taurasi will lead the Huskies in their bid for an unprecedented fifth straight trip to the Final Four when they meet Penn State tonight in the East Regional final.

It figures to be an emotional evening win or lose for UConn, because the 14,000-plus fans who will gather at the Hartford Civic Center will see the two-time All-American play her last college game in the state.

Even for a cool operator like Taurasi, it is going to be a significant moment, especially after what happened at the Civic Center earlier this month — a 73-70 loss to Boston College in the semifinals of the Big East tournament.

“You can’t draw it up any better,” Taurasi said. “The last time at the Civic Center, (and) we have something to prove. We let it get away with Boston College, so I think everyone’s definitely got a chip on their shoulders to come out tomorrow night and play really well, not for ourselves but for everyone.

“It’s a great opportunity. Hopefully, we can end it right.”

Connecticut (28-4) has been pretty good with endings lately.

The Huskies began their Final Four string by winning the national championship in 2000. They lost in the semifinals in 2001, then won the title in 2002 and 2003.