Bridgeport — It took longer than it usually does — until the second quarter — but the UConn Huskies finally plunged the dagger deep into the hearts of Texas Monday night.

And the women of Storrs are headed to their normal digs on the first week of April: the Final Four.

UConn dispatched Texas, 86-65, at Webster Bank Arena, making the program's record ninth straight Final Four and 17th overall in the celebrated history of the program.

UConn coach Geno Auriemma removed seniors Morgan Tuck, Moriah Jefferson and Breanna Stewart with 1:38 remaining to a spirited ovation from the 9,008 fans, appreciative of their final time watching them play on Connecticut soil.

UConn will play Oregon State, a 60-57 winner over top-seeded Baylor in the Dallas Regional final, in the national semifinals at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Tuck scored 22 points to lead UConn (36-0), which won its 73rd straight game. Stewart scored 21 points and had 13 rebounds.

"UConn's seniors have been there and done that and understand what pressure feels like," Texas coach Karen Aston said. "It takes them to a different place."

Auriemma said, "I'll say the same thing I said to our team. This game is the most difficult game to win. I say that every time we're in this game because it's true. It showed tonight. We played a really good team that really tested us. It forced our best players to play great.

"You don't want to go to the Final Four thinking games are easy," he said. "In spite of the score, this was by no means easy at all. I'm excited for our seniors."

Texas (31-6) caused a little consternation early among the sellout crowd, nearly all of which wore something that read "UConn." Texas trailed but 30-25 in the second period until UConn used a 14-3 run, keyed by eight straight points from freshmen Katie Lou Samuelson and Napheesa Collier.

The Longhorns never got closer than 12.

m.dimauro@theday.com