The Tampa Tribune from Tampa, Florida • 32

TBO.com THE TAMPA TRIBUNE SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2009 SPORTS 5 women's college basUetball WOMEN'S FINAL FOUR Louisville (33-4) vs. Oklahoma (32-4) Bulls Earn 1st Postseason Title TIP-OFF: 7 p.m., Scotttrade Center, St. Louis HOW THEY GOT HERE: Louisville def. Liberty 62-42; def. LSU 62-52; def.

Baylor 56-39; def. Maryland 77-60; Oklahoma def. Prairie View 76-47; def. Georgia Tech 69-50; def. Pittsburgh 70-59; def.

Purdue 74-68. THE BUZZ: Oklahoma has a dominating player in 6-foot-4 Courtney Paris, the school first four-time AP Ail-American. She has 127 career double-doubles, in cluding a streak of 112 straight that was snapped this season. Her lesser-celebrated twin, Ashley Paris, averages close to a double-double. Louisville is making its first Final Four appearance, carrying the school banner after the overall top-seeded men's team was upset by Michigan State one game shy of the Final Four.

All-American i Paris Angel McCoughtry averages 23.2 points and 9.3 rebounds. Both teams played unbeaten Connecticut this season: Louisville lost by 28 and 39 points; Oklahoma lost by 28. Connecticut (37-0) vs. Stanford (33-4) TIP-OFF: 9 p.m., Scotttrade Center, St. Louis HOW THEY GOT HERE: UConn def.

Vermont I 104-65; def. Florida 87-59; def. California Uil 77-53; def. Arizona State 83-64; Stanford Hold off late rally by Kansas to win the WNIT title, 75-71. By MATT TAIT TVibune correspondent Lawrence, Kan.

Not even the largest crowd ever to watch a University of South Florida women's basketball game could rattle the Bulls. Playing in front of 16,113 rabid Kansas fans Saturday afternoon, USF outscrapped, outworked and outplayed the Jayhawks to win the 2009 Women's National Invitational Tournament title, 75-71. "We've played a lot of places in the nine years that I've been at South Florida," USF coach Jose Fernandez said. "But this atmosphere was absolutely tremendous." For the players on the floor, the packed house posed a handful of challenges. In addition to forcing the Bulls to keep their nerves in check, it also tested their ability to communicate.

"At first, it was kind of loud and disturbing," said WNIT MVP Shantia Grace, who scored 16 points and dished five assists in the victory. "It was loud, my ears were ringing and I couldn't even hear myself breathe." The raucous arena was quieted in a hurry as the Bulls (27-10) jumped out to a 16-6 lead and maintained an eight-point advantage (38-30) at the half. "We just had to stay together," freshman guard Jasmine Wynne said. "Coach told us, 'The crowd can't In the second half, the Bulls built a lead of 13 points, thanks State 77-49; def. Ohio State 84-66; def.

Iowa State 74-53. ajin i in ii I ii aWlil I HOTDRCVCLE TAMPA BIG DOG PRICES HAVE NEVER BEEN 'f LOVR TRADE-IN VALUES HAVE NEVER BEEN HIGHER! -am. A. A rfpl pJ THE BUZZ: UConn sophomore Maya Moore, named The Associated Press' women's play South Florida guard Jazmine Sepulveda celebrates the Bulls' victory against Kansas, earning them the WNIT championship. largely to the play of Grace and senior Jazmine Sepulveda (18 points in 37 minutes).

With their chance at the tide slipping away, the Jayhawks (22-14) found enough energy for one final run. A furious 13-2 KU rally cut the USF lead to 67-66 with 2:20 to play. But the Bulls remained calm in the face of the roaring KU crowd and outscored the Jayhawks 8-2 in the next two minutes until KU's Danielle McCray (24 points) buried a 3-pointer at the buzzer. SOUTH FLORIDA (27-10) Denson 2-4 3-4 7, Lawson 5-10 3-8 13, Wynne 1-6 3-4 5, Grace 5-16 5-5 6-11, 3-4 18, Grant 3-4 1-2 7, Stokes 4-7 0-0 9. Totals -26-58 18-27 75.

KANSAS (22-14) McCray 7-25 6-8 24, Smith 0-1 0-0 0, Boogaard 4-11 2-2 10, Catic 1-3 0-0 5, Morris 7-13 5-6 19, Jacobs 2-3 0-0 4, Sutherland 4-10 4-5 12. Totals -25-66 17-21 71. Halftime -South Florida 38-30. 3-Point Goals South Florida 5-10 (Grace 1-1, Sepulveda 3-7, Stokes 1-2); Kansas 4-12 (McCray 4-10, Catic 0-1, Morris 0-1). Rebounds South Florida 39 (Grant 10): Kansas 41 (Sutherland 9).

Assists South Florida 9 (Grace 5); Kansas 14 (Catic 5). Total Fouls USF 19, 18. Fouled Out Boogaard. A er of the year on Saturday, averages 19.2 points and 8.9 rebounds. She is only the second sophomore to win the award, joining Oklahoma's Courtney Paris, who won in 2007.

UConn's Geno Auriemma, two wins shy of leading the Huskies to their third unbeaten season, was named The Associated Press' coach of the year for the sixth time Saturday. He won the award last season and also in 1995, 1997, 2000, 2003. UConn has been dominant all season winning by 31 points a game and not allowing a team to come within 10 points all season. The Huskies are seeking the school's third undefeat Moore Is Jk2 Appel ed season and the fifth in women's basketball history. Stanford has made its own impressive run to the Final Four, winning all four games in routs.

Stanford center Jayne Appel dropped 46 points against Iowa State to help get Stanford to its second straight Final Four. She averaged 35.5 points during the four region games. Tribune wires college football Defense Shines In Noles' Scrimmage mm in 1 17.1 Unit forces seven turnovers, including a fumble return for a TD. nrrmrm INVENTORY! Mx'-x-k toy Tallahassee Democrat photo by PHIL SEARS Richard Goodman stiff-arms Nigel Bradham after catching a pass during the Seminoles' spring game Saturday night. Includes: sophomore Nigel Bradham, who is battling to start at linebacker with 2008 starters Derek Nicholson and Toddrick Verdell gone.

"I guess the biggest surprise was our secondary," Coach Bobby Bowden said. "They have been getting ripped pretty good this spring. The defense won the battle. "All of them deserve a pat on the back. Their pass rush was better; their run defense was better; their secondary was the most active I've seen them all spring." Despite some of the defense's struggles early in spring practice, Robinson maintains the unit didn't lack confidence entering Saturday's game that attracted approximately 30,000 spectators.

"We always knew we were going in the right direction," Robinson said. "We didn't let those bad practices get us K-VJ HrnZJ Premium Oil The Associated Press Tallahassee During three weeks of practice leading up to Florida State's spring game, the Seminoles' offense routinely used the defense as its persona punching bag. FSU's young defense finally struck back in the Garnet Gold game Saturday night at Doak Campbell Stadium. Six starters are gone from a unit that ranked 15th nationally in total defense last season, but several newcomers who are likely to play significant roles in 2009 helped the defense defeat the offense 39-27. The defense forced seven turnovers, including two interceptions by safety Jamie Robinson and a 45-yard fumble return for a touchdown by FILTER Chrome Oil filter 24 point Safety Inspection Service While You Wait down.

We always knew where we were going and that we were going to get there eventually." After Robinson intercepted Christian Ponder on the game's first possession, Ponder answered by hitting sophomore Jarmon Fortson for a 65-yard touchdown. Ponder finished 10-for-19 for 118 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions. Jermaine Thomas, battling Ty Jones for the starting tailback position, fared much better than his counterpart. Thomas finished with 31 yards on five carries, while Jones rushed 11 times for 30 yards and fumbled four times. FSU will conclude spring drills with three more sessions this week.

iiyvr atiEBt'auw nutti rvranrr jtnon in innn Includes: $39.95 Oil Change Plm. Primary and Trantmision Fluid Change Service While You Wait THREE FthVlDj CHANGE! ATTENTION GOLFERS! If you are going to play more than twice this year -THIS IS A MUST HAVE! NEWTinESJNSTflLLEQA 36 HOLES CALL MIKE FOR lC JJ UtlMIL MOST AMERICAN V-TWIN MOTORCfQB EXPtRES APRIL 30. 2009 Mors court ivilliblt! wtbslto for dotillt. "Your card is the best value of any golf discount cards, discount lee time websites or anything eiselve ever experienced the gotf market Really amazing deal. Michael M.

ExecGotl Member 'When we first saw S. wethouqhtt was too good to be true Butsure enough within a few days, we received our member cards and started playing gotl 'for only cart fees Rob and Cindy ExecGolf Members i POLYCRYSTALINE PAINT JOB 2 yar written guarantee (prorated) against cracking I peeling Amsingle original color Complete exterior I Contains urethane 4 silicone bp. 043009 Annuil Mentberfhp FREE ONLY WHILE SUPPLIES LAST ORDER NOW! (813) 931-4653 S14.95tax shipping and handling tee not included. Soma restrictions apply. WhlH auppllea last.

SEiZQ NORTH FK-OFliDFl FIVE. 930-6405 Sat. Closed Sunday Monday Men after ll fdwy tat (dut tu. Hit, tmH im dultr fat, nft VPrand mm. dl to comet dttaUi on ll oH.INM0135 ExecGolf MiuainiHiP mrmi airm? octt? wfe -ffigsc? gaStiL.

rfe ter 1.