March 16, 1998
RUSTON, La. (AP) – Tamicha Jackson scored 23 points and Amanda Wilson had 17 points and 11 rebounds Monday night to lead No. 4 Louisiana Tech to a 74-52 victory over No. 14 Clemson in the second round of the NCAA Midwest Regional tournament.
The victory – the 52nd straight on their home court – sends Louisiana Tech (28-3) on to Lubbock, Texas, for the regional semifinals this weekend. The Techsters and top-ranked Tennessee are the only two teams to make every NCAA tournament.
Clemson (25-8) was making its 11th NCAA appearance and third straight.
Faced with Clemson’s size – 10 players over 6-foot and three starters 6-2, 6-3 and 6-3 – Louisiana Tech relied on its speed and controlled the tempo.
Although Tech lacked the depth of Clemson, they wore the Tigers down, outscoring them 20-10 over the final 8:36. Clemson played everyone down the stretch while Tech stayed with its starters until the final 27 seconds.
Alisa Burras had 16 points for Tech.
Itoro Umoh led Clemson with 13 points and eight rebounds. Natasha Anderson came off the bench to score 10 points for the Tigers.
After a 4-4 tie four minutes into the game, Louisiana Tech pulled steadily ahead.
Unable early on to feed Buras under the basket as they had in their victory over much smaller Holy Cross, Tech kept at it until it paid off. Buras scored six points in Louisiana Tech’s 9-0 run that put them ahead 20-8 with 10:30 left in the first half.
Louisiana Tech, which had led by as many as 14 points in the first half, was up 32-22 at the break.
Tech, the No. 3 seed, outshot the Lady Tigers 52 to 33 percent for the game. Clemson outrebounded the Techsters 37-35.
Clemson, which led the Atlantic Coast Conference in 3-point baskets this year, made just 1-of-12 against Tech. Its top long-range shooter, Amy Geren, was 0-for 5.
April 23, 2024
