MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Brittney Griner had 27 points and 10 blocks to lead fourth-seeded Baylor to a 77-62 win over top-seeded Tennessee on Saturday and advance to the NCAA tournament regional finals.
Tennessee tried putting as many as four players on Griner at a time to stop her in the paint but to no avail. Griner hit several shots while double-teamed or passed to an open Lady Bears teammate for an easy layup.
The Lady Volunteers were up 55-50 with just under eight minutes left. Griner hit back-to-back layups and had a three-point play as part of a 21-1 run as Baylor (26-9) marched toward only its second round of eight appearance in history.
Tennessee (32-3) turned to its shooters for help but managed to hit only 32.9 percent. The Lady Vols allowed the Lady Bears a season-high 49.1 percent shooting.
No. 2 Duke 66,
No. 11 San Diego State 58
Jasmine Thomas matched her career-high with 29 points, and Duke beat San Diego State to reach the Memphis regional final.
With the win, the Blue Devils (30-5) notched their eighth 30-win season in the past decade and moved to their first regional final since 2006 when they lost in overtime to Maryland in the national championship game.
SACRAMENTO REGIONAL
Xavier 74, Gonzaga 56
Ta”Shia Phillips had 22 points and 14 rebounds, Katie Rutan added 15 points and third-seeded Xavier rumbled into its first NCAA tournament regional final in nine years with its 21st straight victory.
Amber Harris had 14 points and 10 rebounds for the imposing Musketeers (30-3).
