BU halts Vermont in 2 OTs
Senior Cheri Raffo scored 22 points as Boston University needed two overtimes to beat Vermont, 76-74, in the America East semifinals last night in West Hartford, and secure its first 20-win season in 20 years.
Juniors Amarachi Umez-Eronini (18 points) and Jesyka Burks-Wiley (17) helped BU (20-11) advance to its fifth championship game in six years, where it will play top-seeded Hartford (26-5) today at 5 p.m.
In the earlier semifinal, Danielle Hood had 18 points and nine rebounds to propel the Hawks, 60-40, over Albany and into the title game for the fourth straight year.
CAA - Shahida Williams helped Old Dominion move a step closer to its 17th consecutive tournament title, scoring 19 points in the No. 14 Lady Monarchs' 74-51 victory over Towson in Newark, Del.
Old Dominion (28-4) will play third-seeded Virginia Commonwealth (25-6) - a 69-60 winner over James Madison - in the championship game. Old Dominion is 49-0 in conference tournament play since 1991-92.
Big 12 final - A'Quonesia Franklin had 19 points and hit four free throws in the final 22 seconds, helping No. 11 Texas A&M (26-7) hold off No. 18 Oklahoma State (25-7), 64-59, in Kansas City, Mo., to win its first tourney championship.
Big Sky final - Mandy Morales followed a 31-point effort with 24 more points, going 6 for 6 on 3-pointers, to lead Montana (25-6) to a 101-65 win over Montana State (18-13) in Missoula, Mont.
WAC final - Freshman Jaleesa Ross scored 16 of her 20 points in the second half as Fresno State (22-10) advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time, beating New Mexico State, 72-56, in Las Cruces, N.M.
Big West final - Jessica Wilson had 16 points to lead UC Santa Barbara (23-7), which was making its 12th consecutive appearance in the title game, back into the NCAA Tournament with to a 74-59 victory against UC Davis in Anaheim, Calif. Jessica Campbell had 25 points for the Aggies (19-11), who were trying to reach the tourney in their first season in Division 1.
Mountain West final - New Mexico (20-12) won its fifth title in six seasons behind 22 points from Brandi Kimble and 21 from Dionne Marsh as the Lobos held off San Diego State, 62-59, in Las Vegas.
NCAA Div. 2 - Sophomore Johannah Leedham scored 30 points, including a 14-for-14 showing from the line, to drive Franklin Pierce (26-5) past Stonehill, 68-56, in a Northeast Regional semifinal in Philadelphia. Kelsey Simonds led the Skyhawks (27-5) with 20 points.
The Ravens advance to play the host team, Holy Family (32-0), a 73-49 winner over Assumption (22-10).
NCAA Div. 3 - Tufts, making its first NCAA Tournament appearance, was denied a trip to the Final Four by Messiah (29-2), 55-49, in Grantham, Pa. Khalilah Ummah had 18 points and nine rebounds for the Jumbos (26-4).
