COLLEGE BASKETBALL / POSTSEASON TOURNAMENTS : WOMEN’S MIDWEST REGIONAL : Mississippi Plays SW Missouri State--and Fans

Southwest Missouri State fever has gripped this town. The success of the Bears is attracting hundreds--possibly thousands--of fans for tonight’s Midwest Regional basketball final against Mississippi.

Vans and buses with painted slogans of support can be seen rolling through the streets. Springfield (Mo.) radio stations are reportedly offering affordable airline package tours for those not wanting to make the 13-hour drive. The Springfield News-Leader is being flown out daily and dropped off at area hotels, courtesy of a Springfield car dealer.

“It’s a wonderful situation that we have,” Southwest Missouri Coach Cheryl Burnett said. “What is happening in Springfield, Mo.--it has been happening for three years. These people are wonderful; it’s amazing.”

But the question tonight is whether the Bears, ranked No. 10 and seeded eighth in the Midwest, will be able to maintain the level of play displayed during their 83-57 thrashing of UCLA in the semifinals Thursday night.

About 800 supporters watched when Southwest Missouri State (30-2), with five players scoring in double figures, shot 54% to UCLA’s 34%. The Bears stole the ball 19 times and forced 22 turnovers.

“We don’t plan on doing anything different,” Burnett said. “We’ll use full-court pressure and run at people all night long.”

No. 5-ranked Mississippi, which used the three-point shot to defeat No. 9 Penn State Thursday, is not as deep as Southwest Missouri State but played a much tougher schedule in winning the Southeastern Conference.

Four Mississippi starters average in double figures, with Charlotte Banks leading at 14.6 points. All four scored 15 or more points against Penn State.

The Rebels (29-2) overcame an eight-point second-half deficit and pulled the game out, 75-72, in the final 1:13, largely on three-pointers by Kim Gilchrist and Banks.

Asked whether the partisan crowd expected for tonight’s game might be a factor, Banks replied: “The crowd gets into the game when we let them get into it. If we play our game, it won’t be a major factor.”

Mississippi Coach Van Chancellor interrupted: “If we don’t, it will be a major factor.”