Connecticut, which overcame a winding, frustrating, injury-ridden regular season to resume its customary position as a postseason power, lasted just long enough on Friday night to defeat the reigning national champion, Stanford, in the Final Four.
The victory by the Huskies, 63-58, in Minneapolis assured UConn of a shot at its 12th N.C.A.A. title, which it will pursue in a Sunday game against South Carolina, the top overall seed in the women’s tournament.
Paige Bueckers, the sensational sophomore guard who grew up near Minneapolis but missed 19 games this season with a knee injury, led the Huskies with 14 points, even as she spent some time on the bench in the fourth quarter after taking a hit to the legs.