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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, March 25, 2009

UConn routs Florida to reach regional semis

Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

UConn's Renee Montgomery soars over Florida's Kim Critton. Montgomery scored 25 points as the Huskies improved to 35-0 with an 87-59 victory.

BILL FEIG | Associated Press

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STORRS, Conn. — Next stop on the UConn express — Trenton.

Renee Montgomery scored 25 points in her final game at home and undefeated Connecticut beat eighth-seeded Florida, 87-59, in the second round of the NCAA tournament last night.

The Huskies (35-0) advanced to the regional semifinals for the 16th straight season. They will play fourth-seeded California on Sunday.

Even though they get to this point practically every season, the Huskies don't take their success for granted.

"We know we're not entitled to make it to the Sweet 16 or Elite Eight," Montgomery said. "I'm just ready to go to Trenton."

This is the fourth time that UConn has been undefeated while playing in the NCAA tournament. Connecticut went on to win the national championship in 1995 and 2002. In 1996-97, the Huskies lost to Tennessee in the regional final.

Tina Charles followed up her 32-point effort in the first round with 22 against Florida. She also had 10 rebounds for her 11th double-double this season.

Maya Moore added 22 points and 14 rebounds for her 16th double-double of the season for UConn.

Marshae Dotson scored 22 to lead Florida (24-8).

TEXAS A&M 73, MINNESOTA 42:

Sydney Colson had six steals to pace Texas A&M to a season-high 20 and the Aggies forced a season-high 32 turnovers at South Bend, Ind.

Danielle Gant led Texas A&M (27-7) with 20 points on 9-for-12 shooting. Takia Starks added 17 and Colson had 13.

Ashley Ellis-Milan scored 15 points to lead the Gophers (20-12), who shot 35 percent.

Texas A&M will play sixth-seeded Arizona State (25-8) in Trenton, N.J., on Sunday.

RALEIGH (N.C.) REGIONAL

MARYLAND 71, UTAH 56:

Marissa Coleman had 18 points and a career-high 18 rebounds, Kristi Toliver scored 17, and top-seeded Maryland advanced to the regional semifinals with a victory at College Park, Md.

The Terrapins (30-4) will next play Vanderbilt (26-8).

Kalee Whipple scored 24 and Morgan Warburton had 17 for Utah (23-10).

BAYLOR 60, SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 58:

Kelli Griffin hit a floater from outside the lane on the right side with 0.5 seconds remaining at Lubbock, Texas to lift second-seeded Baylor to the regional semifinals.

Griffin scored 21 points to lead Baylor (29-5), which overcame a 14-point deficit in the first half.

Jennifer Warkenthien scored 18 points to lead the Jackrabbits (32-3).

LOUISVILLE 62, LSU 52:

Angel McCoughtry scored 28 points at Baton Rouge, La., and Louisville advanced to its second straight regional semifinal.

Candyce Bingham added 17 points for the third-seeded Cardinals (31-4), who ended sixth-seeded LSU's bid to reach an unprecedented sixth straight Final Four.

Allison Hightower scored 21 for the Lady Tigers (19-11).

OKLAHOMA CITY REGIONAL

OKLAHOMA 69, GEORGIA TECH 50:

Even though Courtney Paris failed to get a double-double, she still did more than enough at Iowa City, Iowa to help lead top-seeded Oklahoma (30-4) to the regional semifinals.

Danielle Robinson scored 17 points and had seven assists for the Sooners.

Paris finished with nine points, 10 rebounds and six blocks — missing out on a double-double for just the eighth time in 134 games.

Deja Foster had 15 points to lead Georgia Tech (22-10).

BERKELEY (CALIF.) REGIONAL

IOWA ST. 71, BALL ST. 57:

Nicky Wieben scored 18 points as fourth-seeded Iowa State held off upset-minded Ball State at Bowling Green, Ky., to advance to the regional semifinals.

Kelsey Bolte added 16 points and seven rebounds for Iowa State (26-8).

Porchia Green scored 18 points for 12th-seeded Ball State (26-9), which shocked two-time defending champion Tennessee in the first round.