Longhorns Win, 90-65, to Gain Women’s Final

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Clarissa Davis came off the bench to score 32 points and grab a record 18 rebounds Friday to lead top-ranked and unbeaten Texas past Western Kentucky, 90-65, in the Division I women’s NCAA Tournament.

The Longhorns, 33-0, play the USC-Tennessee winner in Sunday’s national title game in Rupp Arena.

Davis, a 6-1 freshman center from San Antonio, keyed a 16-6 run midway through the second half to move the Longhorns to a 62-49 bulge with just less than nine minutes to play.

The Lady Hilltoppers traded baskets for another two minutes before Davis took control of the offensive boards again and scored five points during a 9-0 spurt that carried Texas to a 73-53 advantage with six minutes left.

Western Kentucky, 32-4, was led by Clemette Haskins’s 21 points and 10 rebounds. Lillie Mason, the Lady Hilltoppers’ 6-2 senior forward, scored 15 points and hauled in 11 rebounds before fouling out with 7:18 to play and her team down 64-53.

The Longhorns sprinted to a 14-6 lead with 13 minutes to play. Western Kentucky closed to 18-14 before reserve forward Gay Hemphill and Bevery Williams each scored twice to stake Texas to a 35-22 lead with 2:59 to play.

The Lady Hilltoppers, paced by Mason and Haskins--the daughter of Western Kentucky men’s basketball coach Clem Haskins--pulled within 39-34 at intermission.

Beverly Wilson scored 12 points for Texas and senior guard Kamie Ethridge added 10 assists.

Western Kentucky’s Kami Thomas, hounded by Smith and Hemphill throughout the game, hit 5 of 13 shots for 10 points.