NCAA WOMEN’S MIDWEST REGIONAL : Another Big Victory Not Enough for Colorado

Colorado is still looking for its first challenge of the women’s tournament.

The second-ranked Lady Buffaloes cruised to a 77-61 victory over George Washington in a Midwest Regional semifinal Thursday before 5,239 at Drake University.

It was the team’s third lopsided victory in the regional, its average margin of victory 31 points.

“I was not surprised by the score tonight,” Colorado Coach Ceal Barry said. “I expected us to win by 15 or 20 points because we were quicker and taller.”

Colorado (30-2), which extended its winning streak to 25 games, plays Georgia in the regional final here Saturday night. It will be the first meeting between the schools.

Barry and her players said reaching the regional final is not enough.

“When we played Texas Tech in the West Regional final in 1993, we were happy just to be there,” Barry said. “We’ve been in this tournament many times before, and we’re tired of going home early. Getting there isn’t enough anymore.”

Isabelle Fijalkowski, a 6-5 senior from France, led Colorado with 17 points and 13 rebounds. The Buffaloes outrebounded George Washington, 56-33.

“All the attention has been great,” guard Shelley Sheetz said. “But I think I speak for the whole team when I say we’re not finished yet.”

The lone bright spot for the Colonials (26-6) was the play of senior Martha Williams, whose seven blocked shots set a regional record.

Georgia 98, North Carolina State 79--Despite the youngest starting lineup in the tournament, four sophomores and a junior, the third-seeded Bulldogs (27-4) held their poise and pulled away in the second half.

The sophomores played like veterans. La’Keshia Frett, a 6-3 forward, helped break open a close game by scoring 18 of her game-high 28 points in the second half. Center Tracy Henderson, another 6-3 sophomore, added 17 of her 21 points in the second half when Georgia outscored the Wolfpack, 53-35.

Junior guard Saudia Roundtree, the team leader, finished with 25 points and 10 assists.

“I compensate for their inexperience by not cutting them any slack,” Coach Andy Landers said.

Seventh-seeded North Carolina State (21-10), the lowest-seeded team in the round of 16, stayed close until midway through the second half.