Suminski’s Shot Lifts Stanford

Stanford’s Kelley Suminski made a three-point shot with three-tenths of a second left to lead a 57-55 upset victory over second-seeded Vanderbilt in the NCAA Women’s Midwest Regional basketball semifinals Sunday at Norman, Okla.

Nicole Powell had 16 points, 17 rebounds and nine assists for sixth-seeded Stanford (27-6), including a drive and dish on the final play.

“We were looking for Nicole to get the last shot,” Suminski said. “I saw her penetrating, and I went to slide behind her in case someone went to help, and they did. She made a great pass, and I don’t know what happened after that.

“I’m lucky it went in.”

Suminski scored 11 points for Stanford, which will play Tennessee in the regional final Tuesday.

Powell had 14 points, 11 rebounds and six assists in the opening half, then was scoreless for the first 19 minutes of second half, putting up consecutive airballs late in the game.

Stanford Coach Tara VanDerveer said Vanderbilt’s matchup zone confused her team. “We’ve not played against a zone all year, and we looked like it,” VanDerveer said.

Vanderbilt (26-8), led by Hillary Hager’s 13 points, overcame a 12-point first-half deficit. The Commodores, who made only eight of 15 free throws, took their first lead, at 55-52, with 2:37 left. The Cardinal answered with two free throws by Powell and then Suminski’s heroics.

“I’ve never experienced that before,” Suminski said. “I don’t know whether to cry or celebrate.”

Added VanDerveer: “It was almost surreal.”

Tennessee 71, Baylor 69 -- Tasha Butts made two free throws after a questionable call with two-tenths of a second left to lift the top-seeded Lady Vols (29-3) over the fourth-seeded Bears (26-9) in a regional semifinal at Norman.

In the last few seconds, Shyra Ely missed a fastbreak layup, and Butts was unable to tap in the putback. In the scramble for the loose ball, Baylor’s Jessika Stratton collided with Butts and was called for a foul. Officials reviewed the replay on a courtside TV and decided the foul occurred before time ran out. Kenny Mossman, spokesman for host Oklahoma, said NCAA officials are made available to reporters only to explain fights and when the tournament committee determines it is in the best interests of the tournament. The committee deemed that the end of the game was “self-explanatory” without official comment.

“I hate to see a good game end like that,” Tennessee Coach Pat Summitt said. “[This] was a situation where there were a lot of calls everybody is on edge about.”

Baylor Coach Kim Mulkey-Robertson alternated between somber and angry. “I don’t know that I’ve been involved in one where the game was over, and they put time back on the clock and they shot free throws,” she said.

Added Baylor senior Dionne Brown: “I think overtime should have probably happened. I’m sorry. I had to say it.”

Baylor had possession with the score tied, 69-69, and 31 seconds left. Stratton dribbled the clock down to nine seconds before driving and giving the ball away. That set up Ely’s final fastbreak.

MIDEAST REGIONAL

Duke 63, Louisiana Tech 49 -- The top-seeded Blue Devils (30-3) limited the fifth-seeded Lady Techsters (29-3) to 30% shooting in a regional semifinal at Norfolk, Va., and ended Louisiana Tech’s 21-game win streak, the longest active streak in the nation. Monique Currie scored 18 points and Alana Beard had 17 for Duke, which will play Minnesota on Tuesday in the regional final. Trina Frierson’s 22 points led Louisiana Tech.

Minnesota 76, Boston College 63 -- The seventh-seeded Golden Gophers (24-8) scored 12 consecutive points early in the second half, then held off the third-seeded Eagles (27-7) at Norfolk to reach their first regional final.

Janel McCarville had 25 points, 15 rebounds and seven blocks to lead Minnesota. Lindsay Whalen added 15 points and 10 assists.

*

In a WNIT semifinal, Nevada Las Vegas beat Iowa State, 65-59, at Ames, Iowa. UNLV (26-7) will play Creighton (23-9) for the title Tuesday.