Thanks to a 91-87 double-overtime victory that immediately went into the all-time classics folder, the UConn Huskies moved on to the final four after defeating NC State in a battle of wills. A 27-point performance from Paige Bueckers, including 15 of the 27 in the two overtime sessions led the way while a crucial offensive rebound and put back for Canadian Aaliyah Edwards helped the Huskies punch their ticket to the final four in dramatic fashion. Edwards also added 10 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals in 39 minutes before fouling out in overtime.

With Louisville defeating Michigan in a 62-50 decision also on Monday, the Women’s Final Four will feature four Canadians, one of who will be guaranteed a championship.Louisville was led by a 22-point performance from Hailey Van Lith and 16 rebounds from Emily Engstler. Canadian Merissah Russell plays for Louisville.

Joining Louisville and UConn in the Final Four are the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Stanford Cardinal. The Gamecocks have made it look easy since the tournament tipped off.  In an 80-50 victory over Creighton on Sunday, the Gamecocks looked every bit the dominant No. 1 seed as they advanced to the Final Four. Canadian Laeticia Amihere had nine points, three rebounds and an assist in 16 minutes off the bench to leadSouth Carolina’s reserves. The Mississauga native averaged 6.6 points and 3.8 rebounds in 17 minutes per game for South Carolina this season.

Stanford’s path to the Final Four went through Texas, after a 59-50 victory against the Longhorns on Sunday. Haley Jones had an 18-point, 12-rebound double-double to lead the Cardinal, while Lexie Hull added 20 points in the win. Canadian Alyssa Jerome plays for Stanford. Canadian hoops fans will recognize Jerome from her time playing for Canada at the 2017 FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup where Canada defeatedJapan to collect a Bronze medal.

Friday will open with a battle of the No. 1 seeds as Louisville faces South Carolina at 7 P.M. ET. No. 1 seeded Stanford will face two-seeded UConn in the second game scheduled for 9:30 P.M. ET.

With a trip to the championship game on the line, the pressure has never been higher. Aaliyah Edwards recently talked with Kayla Grey of TSN about her mindset going into this year’s tournament.

“I feel like going into my sophomore year, I'm more experienced in playing in that March Madness atmosphere and environment,” she said. “It’s the same as any ordinary game, but it's all on the line. Win or go home. it’s going in with that mentality and that aggressiveness.”

Edwards, who played with Canada in last summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, also spoke with Grey about how her time with the Senior Women’s National Team has helped her own game grow and develop.

“It was amazing,” Edwards said. “That feeling of just having so many mentors, not even mentors, my big sisters, I would call them. It was great to be among those professionals because that’s where I see myself in a couple of years, playing in the league, playing overseas. It was great to be a part of that type of basketball where everybody has the same work ethic as me, the same mentality, the same mindset. You’re playing against bigger and smart athletes. It was great. I loved the experience. I loved the village. And I can call myself an Olympian.”

Of course, for every Final Four dream that has come true, another ends earlier than expected. After a thrilling 30-point performance on the tournament’s opening weekend, Shaina Pellington and the Arizona Wildcats fell to the North Carolina Tar Heels in an upset in the second round of the Tournament. This caps a fantastic season for Pellington who helped lead Arizona to a four-seed in the tournament.

It was a tough weekend on the men's side of the bracket for Canadian championship hopes. First to fall was top overall seed Gonzaga. Led by senior Andrew Nembhard, the Bulldogs were a tournament favourite before they were taken down by Arkansas in a 74-68 Razorbacks victory.

After a thrilling overtime victory days before, the No. 1 seeded Arizona Wildcats also fell on Thursday. Bennedict Mathurin and the Wildcats had their title hopes extinguished after a 72-60 loss to the fifth-seeded Houston Cougars. Caleb Houstan and the Michigan Wolverines also saw their tournament come to an end after a 63-55 loss to the Villanova Wildcats. A day later, Zach Edey’s Purdue Boilermakers were the team to bow out, falling 67-64 against tournament Cinderella Saint Peter’s.

Though his tournament is over, Mathurin posted this clip to Twitter along with the caption “Unforgettable” to let fans know he appreciated their support just as much as they appreciated his play this season.

‍