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Site: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Delta State of Cleveland, Miss., won its third straight title, tying Immaculata's tournament mark. The Lady Statesmen opened a 34-25 halftime lead and coasted in the second half. Lusia Harris scored 23 points, which was complemented by Debbie Brock's 20. Finals MVP: Delta State's Lusia Harris They Said It: "It would be a super conference with the teams we have: LSU, Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi. Our state competition means nothing right now. We are expected to win and, when we do, we're the bullies of the block," said Louisiana State coach Jinks Coleman, who was pulling for the development of a women's SEC. Interesting Fact: The 1977 tournament was the last for the 16-team format. In 1978 the event was boosted to 24 teams. Surprise: Tennessee eliminated Immaculata in the semifinal, the first time in six years that Immaculata did not make the final. SI's Take: "Immaculata and Delta State were the established powers. Between them they had won all the national titles, Immaculata getting the first three and Delta the last two. They are the best of a handful of small schools that in the early 1970s began to emphasize women's basketball." Record-setter: Immaculata made its sixth consecutive semifinal appearance. It also ended the tournament with the highest postseason winning percentage in AIAW and NCAA history (.870 on a 20-3 record). Olympic Matters: Harris and Tennessee's Pam Roberts, who would face off in Delta State's 62-58 semifinal win, were members of the '76 U.S. Olympic women's basketball team, which won a silver medal. 1977 Kodak All-America Team: Carol Blazejowski, Montclair State; Nancy Dunkle, Cal State-Fullerton; Rita Easterling, Mississippi; Susie Snider Eppers, Baylor; Doris Felderhoff, Stephen F. Austin; Lusia Harris, Delta State; Charlette Lewis, Illinois State; Ann Meyers, UCLA; Patricia Roberts, Tennessee; Mary Scharff, Immaculata.
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