Sunday's Final Four

The Final Four saw three #1 seeds and one #2 make it this year. The lone deuce was Baylor who had the unfortunate task of playing the overall #1, LSU. It looked even more unfortunate when Baylor trailed by 15. Only two teams had ever come from so far behind in the Final Four. That number would double by the time the night was through.

Baylor will play Michigan State for the NCAA title on Tuesday. Both teams made stunning comebacks to get there.


Baylor's Emily Niemann came off the bench to score 14 crucial points. All-American Sophia Young aided the cause. Despite Seimone Augustus' 22 points for LSU, the best player in the country's team fell short. Kim Mulkey-Robertson had coached her Baylor squad to a 68-57 victory. After comeback to take the lead, Baylor never looked back, coasting on their newfound momentum.

In the second game, Michigan State started out emboldened against a vastly more experienced Tennessee team. Pat Summit had led her Vols to the last four Final Fours. But Tennessee would not disappear. In fact, they took a 16-point lead. Alexis Hornbuckle, who ended with 16 points, led the charge.

Michigan State appeared down and out. However, they never gave up. Slowly the lead evaporated thanks to Lindsay Bowen, especially. Liz Shimek and Victoria Lucus-Perry also contributed. Michigan State still trailed with the clock running down. Their senior, Kristin Haynie was virtually non-existent. Center Kelli Roehrig had a wide-open lay up to give her club a fighting chance. When he attempt failed to touch anything even slightly associated with a basket, the Spartan chances seemed about doomed.

Tennessee would not let Michigan State lose however. Shyra Ely committed two turnovers. The Vols fouled when they shouldn't. And Michigan State stayed close. Tennessee's outside shooting star, Shanna Zolman missed a critical three at the end of the shot clock. A wondrous steal by State gave them their first lead of the second half. Time was dwindling.

On Tennessee's last possession, Zolman fired a three from the corner that rimmed out. Roehrig, who had already made up for her miss with a clutch two, rebounded the ball and outlet for the win. A lay up later, Michigan State celebrated their 4-point win. Baylor vs. Michigan State for the championship.