Rutgers, LSU reach Final Four

By Associated Press     Mar 27, 2007

? Rutgers didn’t have much of a reason to believe it could be a Final Four team a few months ago.

The Scarlet Knights didn’t have any seniors, or seemingly any chance.

Not without Cappie Pondexter, not after starting the season by losing four of seven.

And not with a difficult draw in the NCAA Tournament.

Believe now, Rutgers.

The scrappy Scarlet Knights are headed to their second Final Four, using a dominating performance from center Kia Vaughn and inspired play from the rest of the roster to claim a 64-45 victory over Arizona State on Monday night in the Greensboro Regional finals.

“It was sort of like a dream where we just felt … as long as we stuck to our game plan – and that’s to continue to believe in ourselves – then we can continue to get it done,” forward Essence Carson said. “This entire run through the NCAA tournament has been sort of unreal, but at the same time we understand that all the hard work we put in put us there.”

Vaughn had 17 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks while owning the lane.

Matee Ajavon had 20 points, and Carson had 11 for the Scarlet Knights (26-8).

Fresno Regional

LSU 73, Connecticut 50

Fresno, Calif. – The talk coming into the NCAA Tournament was about the coach LSU was missing.

It’s the center who is still dominating the middle that lifted the Lady Tigers to their fourth straight Final Four.

Sylvia Fowles overpowered Connecticut with 23 points, 15 rebounds and an intimidating defensive performance that led third-seeded LSU over the top-seeded Huskies.

A team in turmoil heading into the tournament after head coach Pokey Chatman abruptly resigned March 7 amid allegations of improper conduct with a former player, LSU (30-7) shook off any distractions and won four straight games under acting coach Bob Starkey.

PREV POST

Jayhawk baseball team not off to a great start

NEXT POST

24296Rutgers, LSU reach Final Four