UC Santa Barbara Wins Big West Title

The Big West player of the year earned her title in her team’s biggest game of the year.

Erin Buescher scored 24 points en route to Big West tournament MVP honors as 17th-ranked UC Santa Barbara defeated Long Beach State, 94-67, in the conference championship game at Reno, Nev.

Kristi Rohr added 22 for the Gauchos, who won their third consecutive Big West tournament title and automatic NCAA tournament berth.

The Gauchos (26-3) have five Big West tournament championships in seven years and advanced to the second round of the NCAAs last year.

Buescher said the Gauchos are determined to do even better this time and their latest victory was a step in that direction.

“We’ve been working on the things we need to work on to get where we want to go. We have our goals set pretty high. We’re excited,” said Buescher. “We’re ready to go and I guess it’s a good time to be ready.”

Stacy Clinesmith added 15 points and Rachelle Rogers 12 for the Gauchos, who extended their school-record winning streak to 21. It was their 12th in a row over the 49ers and 33rd in a row against the Big West.

Kesha Wade scored 15 points and Rhonda Smith had 12 for Long Beach State (18-11).

Arizona State 70, USC 58--The Trojans scored only 17 first half points before ending the season with their sixth consecutive loss. The Trojans (7-20, 3-15 Pac-10) trailed the Sun Devils (12-15, 6-12), 33-17, at halftime before a home crowd of 673.

No. 3 Louisiana Tech 84, No. 23 Florida International 60--Monica Maxwell scored 15 points to lead the Lady Techsters to their fourth consecutive Sun Belt Conference tournament championship with a victory over the Golden Panthers at Jonesboro, Ark.

Louisiana Tech (26-2) and FIU (23-6) were tied at 21 midway through the first half before taking a 42-30 halftime advantage. The Panthers got to within seven with 17:53 left, but Louisiana Tech scored the next 17 points.

Southern Methodist 65, No. 4 Colorado State 49--The Mustangs earned an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament with an upset of the Rams in the championship game of the Western Athletic Conference women’s tournament at Las Vegas.

The Mustangs (19-10) ended the Rams’ 19-game winning streak by outrebounding Colorado State, 49-30, and holding the Rams (31-2) to a season-low 24 percent shooting, which included a 13-point, 25% shooting performance by three-time WAC Player of the Year Becky Hammon.

No. 5 Old Dominion 73, East Carolina 67--Natalie Diaz’s had 21 points to lead the Lasy Monarchs to their 83rd consecutive Colonial Athletic Association victory in the championship at Richmond, Va.

Diaz’ 15-footer capped a 8-2 run that put the Lady Monarchs (26-3) ahead of the Pirates (16-13) for good with 11 minutes to play.

No. 9 Texas Tech 73, No. 21 Iowa State 59--Julie Lake scored 20 points, including four three-point baskets, as the Red Raiders won their second Big 12 tournament championship in a row at Kansas City, Mo.

Tournament MVP Angie Braziel added 17 points and 10 rebounds and Rene Hanebutt scored 14 for Tech (28-3). Iowa State dropped to 22-7.

No. 15 Oregon 80, California 57--Lisa Bowyer scored 18 points and Natasha O’Brien added 14 as the Ducks earned a share of their first Pac-10 title with a victory over the Golen Bears (12-15, 6-2) at Oakland.

Brianne Meharry added 10 points and Angelina Wolvert had 11 rebounds for the Ducks (24-5, 15-3 Pac-10), who tied UCLA for their first Pac-10 women’s title in any sport other than track or cross country.

Cal State Northridge 79, Portland State 65--Ednisha Curry scored 23 points as the Matadors (21-7) defeated the Vikings (18-10) to win the Big Sky Tournament and earn a berth in the NCAA tournament.

Northeastern 57, Maine 55--Tesha Tinsley scored 28 points at to lead the Huskies (22-7) past the Black Bears (23-6) and to the America East tournament title at Burlington, Vt.

Central Florida 80, Jacksonville State 59--Chariya Davis scored 20 points and LaToya Graham had 18 and eight rebounds to lead Golden Knights (20-9) over the Lady Gamecocks (15-14) for the Trans America Athletic Conference women’s championship at Atlanta.

Florida A&M; 69, Hampton 47--Teresa Jenkins had 24 points, 13 rebounds and 10 blocked shots and the Rattlerettes (18-11) scored 23 of the first 27 points to defeat the Pirates (18-10) in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship at Richmond, Va.

Grambling 80, Mississippi Valley 60--Termika Mitchell’s layup broke a 41-41 tie and triggered a game-deciding run as the Tigers (25-4) defeated the Devilettes (17-11) in the championship game of the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament at Baton Rouge, La.

Stephen F. Austin 90, Northwestern State 77--Stephanie Whitmore scored 23 points, and Shawnta Johnson had 22 points and 13 rebounds as the Ladyjacks (17-11) defeated the Lady Demons (22-6) in the Southland Conference tournament final.