NORMAN, Okla. – From controversy to just plain close.
Two days after a last-second controversial win over Baylor caused some disbelief over whether the Lady Vols deserved to advance in postseason play, Tennessee stamped its own ticket to the Final Four with a 62-60 victory over sixth-seed Stanford.
Senior guard Tasha Butts hit a driving layup over Cardinal All-American Nicole Powell with 1.7 seconds remaining to give UT the win.
“It’s unbelievable,” Butts said. “This whole season we’ve been put in positions like this.
“I feel so confident right now.”
The Lady Vols (30-3) move on to face league rival LSU in the national semifinals on Sunday marking the program’s eighth trip to the Final Four in 10 years.
Tennessee overcame an eight-point first-half lead by Stanford, who led 31-29 at the half. The Lady Vols shot only 37.5 percent from the field in the opening stanza, missing a variety of chip shots directly underneath the basket.
UT gained its first lead of the second half with an Ashley Robinson layup at the 17:51 mark.
The Lady Vols fought off a number of second-half runs from the Cardinal, including one that briefly gave Stanford a one-point lead with 3:15 remaining in the contest. But then Lady Vol seniors took over.
Butts hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key to give the Lady Vols a 60-58 lead with 48.4 seconds remaining. Her layup in the closing seconds secured the victory for the Lady Vols, as Powell missed a last-second attempt at a tying basket.
“I really excited for out seniors,” UT coach Pat Summitt said. “They’ve play such an important role for us.”
Tennessee fought off the Cardinal despite 31 points from Powell, who was named as the Midwest Regional Most Valuable Player. She was joined on the all-tournament team by Butts, LaToya Davis and junior Shyra Ely.
Butts led the Lady Vols with 14 points, Ely added 12 and Davis knocked down 10 points while handing out six assists.
The senior whose layup proved to be the game winner said a trip to New Orleans was the perfect prize for all the Lady Vols’ close games.
“I don’t feel like going back to Knoxville right now,” Butts said. “I’d rather be tired and keep playing.”
Thanks to her, the Lady Vols will have that chance.
