Huskies Start Fast, Fade Against Vandy

West/Mideast

Michelle Palmisano scored 25 points to lead Vanderbilt to a 74-62 victory over Washington in the NCAA West Regional on Saturday at Lawrence, Kan.

Eleventh-seeded Washington (17-11) caught No. 6 Vanderbilt (19-10) off-balance at the start, jumping to a 19-13 lead.

But Palmisano scored 10 consecutive Vanderbilt points during a 15-2 run that put the Commodores ahead 30-23 midway through the first half. The Huskies closed to 38-35 at the half, but would never come closer.

Jamie Redd led the Huskies with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Laure Savasta added 14 points.

Kansas 81, Detroit 67

Also at Lawrence, Tamecka Dixon scored 21 points as the third-seeded Jayhawks (25-5) took advantage of their home court with a win over No. 14 Detroit (23-7).

Kansas, 15-0 in Allen Field House this season, will face Vanderbilt in the second round Monday night.

Stanford 111, Howard 59

At Stanford, Calif., Vanessa Nygaard scored 18 points and four of her teammates also scored in double figures as the No. 1 seed Cardinal toyed with No. 16 (21-6) Howard for the victory.

Stanford raced to a 32-point lead at halftime and coasted the rest of the way.

The Cardinal (31-1) received a scare midway through the second half when leading scorer and first-team All-American Kate Starbird suffered a lateral sprain of her left ankle in a collision under the basket. She finished with 13 points and spent the rest of the evening in the training room.

Forward Naomi Mulitauaopele, back after missing three weeks with a knee injury, had eight points during that spree. Reserve Heather Owen of Moscow, Idaho, also back after missing six weeks because of a broken finger, finished with eight points.

Texas Tech 47, Montana 45

Also at Stanford, Alicia Thompson scored 20 points as the eighth-seeded Red Raiders (20-8) survived a late Montana rally.

After No. 9 Montana scored 11 straight points to close within two, the Grizzlies (25-4) had a chance to tie in the closing seconds. But after driving the length of the court, Skyla Sisco’s running scoop shot from the foul line bounced off the rim as time expired.

Texas Tech will meet top-seeded Stanford on Monday with a West Regional berth to Missoula at stake.

Mideast

Marquette 70, Clemson 66

At Baton Rouge, La., Clare Barnard scored 23 points as No. 12 Marquette rallied to beat No. 5 Clemson.

It was the first NCAA Tournament victory for Marquette (21-9), which was 8-20 last season. The Tigers (19-10) were making their ninth NCAA appearance in 10 years and had not lost in the first round since 1988.

Barnard made two foul shots 22 seconds into the second half and Marquette tied the game at 41.

The Golden Eagles took their first lead 33 seconds later on a 3-point basket by Barnard.

Marquette outscored Clemson 10-3 over the first 5 minutes of the second half to go ahead 49-44.

LSU 88, Maine 79

Also at Baton Rouge, Pietra Gay scored 22 points, including 11 of 12 free throws, as the fourth-seeded Tigers held off No. 13 Maine (22-8).

LSU (24-4) advanced to a second-round game Monday night against Marquette.

Southern Cal 68, San Francisco 55

At Gainesville, Fla., senior forward Tina Thompson scored 26 points to lead the Trojans to a win over the Dons.

Sixth-seeded Southern Cal (20-8) will meet Florida on Monday.

Junior guard Brittany Lindhe led eleventh-seeded San Francisco (25-6) with 15 points and five rebounds. Renee Demirdijian added 13 points and Andrea Kagie had 11.

Southern Cal shot just 42 percent from the field.

Florida 92, Florida International 68

Also at Gainesville, Dana Smith scored 21 points as the third-seeded Gators (22-8) beat the No. 14 Golden Panthers.

Junior center Gergana Branzova scored 18 to lead FIU (21-9), which was making its third NCAA Tournament appearance in the past four years.

Talatha Bingham and Tiffany Travis scored 18 points each for the Gators.