Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Tigers steal a victory from defeat

Associated Press

LSU coach Pokey Chatman couldn’t understand why point guard Tameka Johnson wasn’t rushing up the court to try for a game-winning shot.

A TV replay showed why – and helped the top-ranked Lady Tigers (28-1) beat the Alabama Crimson Tide (14-15) 60-59 Friday in the Southeastern Conference women’s tournament in Greenville, S.C.

After Natasha Gamble’s basket appeared to be a game-tying 3-pointer with 5.1 seconds left, Johnson dribbled up court and held the ball without taking a shot as time ran out.

“I thought it was odd when we inbounded the ball that Tameka didn’t have any urgency,” Chatman said. “She evidently saw an official signal a 2-point basket.”

Johnson must have been one of the few at Bi-Lo Center who did.

Soon after, three officials were huddled around a monitor with Chatman and Alabama coach Rick Moody. The officials ruled Gamble’s foot touched the line, making it a 2-point goal instead of the tying 3-point basket.

Seimone Augustus had 20 points for LSU in the opening-round game. Monique Bivins led Alabama with 20 points.

(3) Ohio State 70, Wisconsin 46: At Indianapolis, Jessica Davenport scored 18 points, and Ashley Allen added 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Buckeyes (28-3), who beat the Badgers (12-16) in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament. … (5) Tennessee 64, Auburn 54: At Greenville, S.C., the Lady Vols (24-4) gave coach Pat Summitt her 876th career win – tying Kentucky great Adolph Rupp – in an SEC quarterfinals win over the Lady Tigers (16-13). … (8) Michigan St. 61, Illinois 50 (OT): At Indianapolis, Kelli Roehrig scored 15 points and Kristin Haynie had seven points in an 11-0 overtime run to lead the Spartans (26-3) over the Illini (16-12) and into the Big Ten semifinals.

(12) DePaul 78, Memphis 55: At Charlotte, N.C., Khara Smith had 23 points, 15 rebounds and five steals for the Blue Demons (25-3) in a C-USA tournament quarterfinals win over the Lady Tigers (13-16). DePaul will play Texas Christian today. … (15) Minnesota 71, Purdue 68: At Indianapolis, Jamie Broback scored 28 points and the Golden Gophers (23-6) won with a final 11-3 surge in the quarterfinals of a Big Ten tournament win over the Boilermakers (16-12). Minnesota plays No. 3 Ohio State in the semifinals Sunday. … (18) Vanderbilt 79, Arkansas 60: At Greenville, S.C., Ashley Earley had 21 points and 15 rebounds, and the Commodores (22-6) took the first step in defending their SEC tournament title by beating the Lady Razorbacks (16-13). Vanderbilt will meet Tennessee in today’s semifinal.

(21) Georgia 87, Mississippi 65: At Greenville, S.C., Sherill Baker scored 17 points and six Lady Bulldog players scored in double figures as Georgia (22-8) beat the Lady Rebels (19-10) in SEC quarterfinal game. Georgia will face top-ranked LSU in today’s semifinals. … (23) Penn St. 68, Iowa 66: At Indianapolis, Tanisha Wright scored 17 points to help the Lady Lions (11-9) rally in the second half to beat the Hawkeyes (20-9) in a Big Ten tournament quarterfinals game. Penn State will face No. 8 Michigan State in the semifinals on Sunday. … (25) Maryland 66, Clemson 55: At Greensboro, N.C., Crystal Langhorne had 24 points and 16 rebounds for the Terrapins (20-8) to help defeat the Tigers (8-20) in the opening round of the ACC tournament.