Top-seeded Tar Heels advance to Final Four

By Jaime Aron - Ap Sports Writer     Mar 28, 2007

North Carolina forward LaToya Pringle, right, fights to keep the ball away from Purdue guard Jodi Howell (00) in the second half of their regional championship game Tuesday in Dallas. North Carolina won 84-72.

? Once again, Ivory Latta was headed to the locker room way too early in a late-round NCAA tournament game, North Carolina’s hopes possibly going with her.

Only this time, Latta came back. And the Tar Heels never wavered.

Latta limped off before halftime, but returned to help Erlana Larkins lead a strong start to the second half that top-seeded North Carolina rode to a 84-72 victory over Purdue in the finals of the Dallas Regional on Tuesday night, clinching a spot in the Final Four for the second year in a row.

Last year’s title shot was ruined when Latta hurt her knee early in a loss to Maryland in the national semifinal. Now a senior who has vowed to do whatever it takes to go out with a championship, she’ll have a few days to recover before facing fellow No. 1 seed Tennessee in Cleveland on Sunday.

Larkins had a career-high 29 points and 10 rebounds as the Tar Heels (34-3) kept alive their chances for a second crown. Latta had 21 points, her most this tournament, plus her usual leadership and spunky attitude.

The Boilermakers (31-5) were within 64-60 with 6:47 left when star Katie Gearlds fed Jodi Howell for a layup, forcing a timeout and drawing a scream and an exultant jab from Gearlds.

North Carolina answered with a 7-0 rally led by Larkins. She started it with a three-point play, then assisted on two more baskets as the Tar Heels turned away Purdue’s hopes of getting to the Final Four in its first season under coach Sharon Versyp.

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