Rutgers dumps West Virginia

HARTFORD -- Cappie Pondexter had 24 points to lead Rutgers to a 61-51 win over West Virginia last night to advance to the final of the Big East tournament.

The seventh-seeded Scarlet Knights (21-10) will play No. 23 Boston College, which advanced earlier with a stunning 73-70 win over No. 3 Connecticut.

Both Rutgers and BC, the No. 5 seed, are making their third appearance in the final as they try for their first championship. It will be the first final in tournament history without one of the top four seeded teams.

Meg Bulger led the sixth-seeded Mountaineers (21-10) with 16 points on 7-of-16 shooting. Kate Bulger and Yolanda Paige added 10 apiece for West Virginia, which was making its first appearance in the Big East semifinal.

The win may have been a costly one for Rutgers, however. Dawn McCullouch, who had 11 points and 13 boards for the Scarlet Knights, injured her right knee after making a layup with 5.9 seconds left. She lay in pain for several minutes before being helped off the court.

Rutgers has been playing with a short bench all season because of injuries. Her status was not immediately known.