With their 74-71 victory over a stubborn, feisty Mississippi State, Florida State not only set a school record with their 29th win, they moved into their first Elite Eight. They celebrated by dousing their coach with water.

"Actually, the whole team got Coach," Courtney Ward said with a guilty grin.

"We're trying to establish something that is stronger than any one year," coach Sue Semrau said, her hair and clothes still drenched from a water-bottle soaking she absorbed in the post-game locker room. "This win — this appearance in the Elite Eight — helps us to establish what we want to continue and that is to be a national contender in women's basketball."

Graham credits senior Angel Gray with shutting down Mississippi State's star, Alexis Rack.

There are plenty of reasons No. 3 seed Florida State overcame a second-half deficit and survived a late scare to beat No. 7 Mississippi State 74-71 and advance to the first regional final in program history. There's Alysha Harvin, the senior scorer who carried the Seminoles early, late and often on the scoreboard with clutch shots and added big plays on defense. There's point guard Courtney Ward, who overcame early foul trouble to make big play after big play in the second half, and star post Jacinta Monroe, who blocked five shots. There are unsung role players like Alexa Deluzio and Cierra Bravard coming through with some of their best performances at the most opportune times.

But you might as well start with Gray. After all, she does wear No. 1.

Next up for the Seminoles, a rematch with the UConn. The AP says the "Huskies rolled to a 78-59 win when they met earlier in the season," but UConn fans remember differently. Said Semrau:

“I haven’t been around for all time, so I can’t tell you if they’re the greatest team of all time,’’ Semrau said. “If I put myself in the heads of 18- to 22-year-olds who have watched Connecticut annihilate people, I think there’d be trepidation. We haven’t just watched it; we’ve been there in a game with UConn. And that will help us in our approach.’’