Tennessee suffers first home loss ever in women’s tourney
Oregon State center Marie Gulich, left, knocks the ball away Tennessee center Mercedes Russell, right, in the first half of a second-round game in the NCAA college basketball tournament on Sunday, March 18, 2018, in Knoxville, Tenn. Credit: AP / Wade Payne
Marie Gulich had 14 points and 12 rebounds to lead sixth-seeded Oregon State to its third straight regional semifinal appearance with a 66-59 win over third-seeded Tennessee on Sunday in the Lexington Regional.
The Lady Vols lost for the first time at home in women’s NCAA Tournament history.
“We had an opportunity to do something today that is really special and that is a first,” Oregon State coach Scott Rueck said. “So when the clock was ticking down right at the very end and we knew we had it, I just couldn’t hardly believe how far this team has come.”
The Lady Vols had been 57-0 at home. It’s the second straight season that Tennessee lost in the second round of the NCAAs and will miss the Sweet 16 in back-to-back seasons for the first time in the program’s 37-year tournament history.
Louisville 90, Marquette 72: Myisha Hines-Allen had 24 points and 13 rebounds, Asia Durr scored 19 points and No. 1-seed Louisville quickly pounced on No. 8-seed Marquette on the way to victory. The Cardinals advanced to their second consecutive Sweet 16. “Our advantage was inside, and that’s what we tried to do,” said Hines-Allen, who had 11 defensive rebounds.
SPOKANE REGIONAL
Texas A&M 80, DePaul 79: Freshman Chennedy Carter hit a three with 3.2 seconds left, capping a 37-point performance, to help host No. 4 Texas A&M rally from a 17-point second-half deficit and beat No. 5-seed DePaul. The Aggies head to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2014.
KANSAS CITY REGIONAL
North Carolina St. 74, Maryland 60: Kiara Leslie had 21 points and 11 rebounds against her former team, the No. 5-seed Terrapins, and the host No. 4-seed Wolfpack (26-8) earned its first Sweet 16 appearance since 2007. — AP
