NEW ORLEANS - With one final swat, Diana Taurasi secured Connecticut's place in another national championship game.

Connecticut fought off repeated comebacks by a gutsy Minnesota team and stayed on track to win a third straight NCAA title with a 67-58 victory in the semifinals Sunday night.

Taurasi scored 18 points, made the pass that led to one of the game's biggest baskets and then crushed Minnesota's final hopes by flicking away Shannon Schonrock's 3-point shot near the end.

The Huskies (30-4) recovered the ball and Taurasi dribbled out the final seconds, smiling when the buzzer sounded and slapping hands with teammate Ann Strother.

The Connecticut victory keeps alive the possibility of the first championship double for a school.

UConn will play Georgia Tech for the men's title Monday night.