Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, April 1, 1991 TAG: 9104010093
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: NEW ORLEANS LENGTH: Medium
Unlike UNLV, which was upset in the semifinals of the men's tournament, UVa got to the NCAA women's championship game Sunday before falling to Tennessee 70-67 in overtime.
The Lady Volunteers (30-5) became the first team to win three NCAA Tournaments and, in the process, avenged a loss to Virginia that prevented Tennessee from playing for the 1990 championship on its home floor.
"This makes up for a year ago," Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt said. "It wasn't the fact we lost to Virginia; it was that we lost the game. Today's win feels like the greatest of all the national championships."
It was the first overtime game in the 10-year history of the women's tournament, but, as far as Virginia was concerned, it never should have lasted that long.
The Cavaliers, down by seven points in the second half, led 60-55 after a free throw by Tammi Reiss with 1:25 remaining in regulation.
"I kind of look at it as the game that got away," Reiss said. "I really thought we had it won at the end of regulation."
After making two free throws to make it 60-60 with seven seconds remaining, Tennessee junior Dena Head blocked Dawn Staley's layup as time expired in regulation.
The Lady Vols dominated the overtime as Virginia went 0-for-5 from the free-throw line, missing in three bonus situations and on one two-shot opportunity. The Cavaliers were 7-for-19 on free throws for the game.
"The foul shooting was a huge disadvantage," said Virginia coach Debbie Ryan, whose team was shooting 67.7 percent from the line for the season.
"The players we had at the line [Audra Smith and Heather Burge] are not two of our better shooters, but, most of the times in close games, we do make 'em," Ryan said.
The Cavaliers (31-3) were not involved in many close games this season, winning by an average margin of more than 24 points. UVa also was scoring more than 90 points per game, but it became evident early that Sunday's game would not be a shootout.
UVa led 18-8 with 10:55 remaining in the first half, but the Cavaliers went more than 7 1/2 minutes without a field goal in falling behind 27-26 at halftime.
Tennessee destroyed Virginia on rebounds in the first half, outrebounding the Cavaliers 24-16 on the strength of 11 offensive rebounds. Ryan addressed that deficiency at halftime and the Cavaliers claimed 16 offensive rebounds in the second half and overtime.
That was the only way Virginia could stay in the game because the Cavaliers shot 38.1 percent after halftime. UVa missed its last four shots of regulation and went 1-for-8 to start the overtime.
Still, Virginia had the advantage during the closing minutes of overtime, taking its first lead of the second half on a hook shot by Reiss that made it 55-53 with 4:11 left.
Tonya Cardoza followed with a driving layup to put UVa ahead 57-53, and the Cavaliers had several opportunities to build a six-point lead, though the five-point lead looked safe with 1:25 left.
UVa had neutralized Tennessee's All-America center, Daedra Charles, but there was no stopping Head. Her three-point play with 1:15 left put the Lady Vols back in the game at 60-58.
There was no question who would get the ball when Tennessee regained possession with fewer than 20 seconds remaining. Head drove the right baseline and was fouled by Staley with seven seconds left.
"The free throws at the end of regulation were key to make, and I knew that," said Head, who made 10 of her last 11 free throws after going 0-for-3. "When Daedra went out of the game [on fouls], I told her I'd make them for her."
Just as Tennessee wanted the ball in Head's hands, Virginia set up the last shot for Staley. She drove the length of the floor before her left-handed layup attempt was blocked by Head.
Reiss and others said they felt there was contact on the play, but Staley didn't lodge any arguments.
"If it was a foul, I don't think they should have called it because I don't think a referee should decide a national championship," Staley said. "I'm not going to question the call."
After going 3-for-16 from the field in UVa's semifinal victory over Connecticut, Staley finished with 28 points, 11 rebounds and six assists before fouling out with two seconds remaining in overtime.
Staley and Head, who had 28 points for the Lady Vols, broke the previous record of 27 points in the championship game. Staley was selected most outstanding player and was joined on the all-tournament team by Head, Charles, Cardoza and Stanford's Sonja Henning.
"From a player's perspective, it's easy to get caught up in the emotion of the loss," Reiss said. "But the season wasn't a total failure. I just think this gives us more incentive for next year."
see microfilm for box score
by CNB