In Defensive Matchup, Rutgers Wins, 59-39

Rutgers limited St. Joseph’s to its lowest point total since the 1982-83 season in a 59-39 victory in the second round of the NCAA West Regional tournament Sunday night at Piscataway, N.J.

The No. 2-seeded Scarlet Knights (24-7) advanced to the round of 16 for the third consecutive year and prevented No. 10 St. Joseph’s (25-6) from reaching that stage for the first time.

Rutgers, which lost in the final eight last year to eventual national champion Purdue, will play Alabama Birmingham Saturday in Portland, Ore.

The 39 points were the lowest for the Hawks since a 66-33 loss to Cheyney State on Feb. 10, 1983. Cheyney State was coached by C. Vivian Stringer, Rutgers’ current coach.

St. Joseph’s leading scorers, Susan Moran and Jana Lichnerova, weren’t factors with seven and nine points, respectively. They combined for 38 in a first-round win over Texas.

St. Joseph’s came into the game with the nation’s second-leading defense, giving up 52.9 points, and Rutgers was No. 4 at 55 points.

“They felt they had the best defense and we knew we had one of the best defenses in the land, so we took that as a challenge and we tried to prove our point that we are the best defensive team,” said Rutgers forward Davalyn Cunningham, who scored all 10 of her points in the second half to help break open the game.

A three-point basket by Lichnerova, the Atlantic 10 Conference player of the year, cut Rutgers’ lead to 23-22 in the opening seconds of the second half, but the Scarlet Knights responded with a 23-7 run.

Alabama Birmingham 78, Mississippi State 72--The No. 11 Lady Blazers (21-12) advanced by upsetting the No. 3 Lady Bulldogs (24-8) at Eugene, Ore.

LaToya Thomas, the nation’s top-scoring freshman at 21 points per game, led Mississippi State (24-8) with 26 points.

Holly Holland had 21 points and Deanna Jackson 20 to lead Alabama Birmingham.

EAST REGIONAL

Connecticut 83, Clemson 45--The No. 1-seeded Huskies (32-1) held the No. 9 Lady Tigers to three baskets in the first half at Storrs, Conn.

In all, Clemson (19-12) made only 10 of 49 shots (20.4%), setting a tournament record for fewest field goals and tying a record for lowest shooting percentage.

Connecticut outrebounded Clemson, 45-26, and forced 27 turnovers which led to 32 points.

Sue Bird scored 16 points, All-American Shea Ralph had 15, and Swin Cash had 10 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Huskies into the round of 16 at Richmond, Va.

Louisiana State 57, Stephen F. Austin 45--April Brown scored all 11 of her second-half points during a 23-3 run at Baton Rouge, La., for the No. 3-seeded Tigers.

LSU (24-6) plays in the round of 16 Saturday at Richmond, Va. No. 11 Stephen F. Austin (28-4) made only six of 30 shots in being outscored 35-14 in the second half.

MIDEAST REGIONAL

Notre Dame 95, George Washington 60--The No. 2-seeded Irish (27-4) won in a second-round game at South Bend, Ind., that had 53 fouls and 74 free throws.

Notre Dame overcame 25 turnovers in advancing to the round of 16 for the third time in four years. The Irish play Saturday at Memphis, Tenn.

No. 7 George Washington (26-6) made only 17 of 60 shots and committed 19 turnovers.

Virginia 74, Boston College 70--The No. 4-seeded Cavaliers (25-8) reached the round of 16 for the first time in three years.

Virginia, which plays Saturday in Memphis, Tenn., won its 15th consecutive home game with solid defense and the shooting of Telisha Quarles, who scored eight of her career-high 24 points during a 10-0 run in the second half.

No. 5 Boston College (26-9) lost in the second round for the second consecutive year.

MIDWEST REGIONAL

Penn State 75, Auburn 69--Lisa Shepherd had 19 points, including five three-point baskets, to lead the No. 2-seeded Lady Lions (28-4) at University Park, Pa.

Tasha Hamilton had 19 points for No. 7 Auburn (22-8), which lost in the second round for the third time in a row.