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NCAA Basketball Scoreboard: Recap

Recap | Box Score | Today's Scoreboard

Connecticut 67, Louisiana Tech 48

Posted: Monday March 26, 2001 11:15 PM

Louisiana Tech Related Info: Team Page Conference Page City Page: • Monroe Message Boards: • NCAA

Connecticut Related Info: Team Page Conference Page City Page: • Storrs Message Boards: • NCAA

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- Defending national champion Connecticut might be without two of its best players, but it is back in the NCAA Tournament's Final Four.

Tamika Williams scored 18 points off the bench and freshman Diana Taurasi added 17 and 10 rebounds as Connecticut rolled past Louisiana Tech, 67-48, in the East Region final.

Connecticut (32-2) will make its fifth Final Four appearance on Friday against Notre Dame in a national semifinal. Once again, injured starters Svetlana Abrosimova and Shea Ralph -- both out for the season -- cheered their teammates from the bench.

The Huskies used a 12-0 run to open a 22-10 lead with just over seven minutes left in the first half. They shot 46 percent (16-of-35) in the first half as Taurasi scored six points in an 8-0 closing run for a 37-24 lead at intermission.

Poor shooting plagued both teams in the second half and Louisiana Tech (31-5) never was able to get the deficit below double digits. The Lady Techsters' 19-game winning streak came to a halt, ending a season in which coach Leon Barmore returned after announcing his retirement.

Ayana Walker collected 15 points and 10 rebounds for Louisiana Tech, which shot just 29 percent (16-of-56). Takeisha Lewis made just 3-of-15 shots for seven points after scoring 27 against Missouri on Saturday.

Taurasi also provided tough defense on Brooke Lassiter, who scored 19 points against Missouri. Lassiter was limited to just seven on three shots as she was unable to beat the freshman.

Connecticut won its second straight over Louisiana Tech this season, including a 71-55 road victory on January 7 -- the Lady Techsters' last loss. The teams were meeting for the first time in the NCAA Tournament.