Amber Bepko hit a 3-pointer with 1:22 left in a second overtime, which lifted No. 9 Mercy to a 55-54 with No. 4 Career.

Bepko struggled early, but finished with 18 points. Danielle Machold led the Tigers with 19 points, 15 coming in the first half.

Bria Moore, whose 3-point attempt was off the mark as time expired, finished with 15 points for Career. J'Voni Hilton also had 15 points for the Panthers.

Mercy will play in its third state title game this weekend (either Friday or Saturday) against No. 3 Norwich Free Academy at Mohegan Sun Arena.

It's been a pretty impressive - and surprising - run for the Tigers. Mercy has knocked off top-seeded Lauralton Hall and the Panthers after losing two of the state's best players in Rachel Roberts and Bianca Simmons to graduation last year.

As for Career, the Panthers saw their string of three straight title game appearances come to an end. Career will likely be in the hunt again next season, as the Panthers will only lose Hilton to graduation.

For updated state tournament brackets, click here.