WOMEN’S FINAL FOUR : Auburn Confounds Lacy, Stuns No. 1 Louisiana Tech

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. —  Auburn’s strategy Friday night was simple: take away the inside game of top-ranked Louisiana Tech.

And that’s what the Tigers did, opening a 20-point halftime lead and beating the Lady Techsters, 81-69.

“I felt we ran our defensive game plan to the letter for 40 minutes,” Auburn Coach Joe Ciampi said. “That’s what it takes to beat a team like Louisiana Tech.”

“I’m not sure we were upset at all,” Louisiana Tech Coach Leon Barmore said. “Auburn is a good team and Louisiana Tech is a good team. It was just their night.”

The Lady Tigers (28-6), who finished the regular season ranked ninth, forced standout center Venus Lacy into foul trouble with two in the opening minutes.

The Lady Techsters (32-1) pulled to 66-58 when guard Sheila Ethridge scored from 12 feet with 4:24 remaining. But Auburn’s Evelyn Thompson made a jump shot before Louisiana Tech was awarded possession on a jump ball. Lacy was fouled under the basket, but missed both shots.

Auburn’s Chantel Tremitiere was then fouled and made two free throws to put the Lady Tigers ahead by 10.

Louisiana Tech could not get closer than nine the rest of the way.

Guard Carolyn Jones had 21 points and nine rebounds for Auburn, and Linda Godby, largely responsible for Lacy’s foul troubles, finished with 15 points and drew praise from Louisiana Tech Coach Leon Barmore.

“The (two early) fouls hurt us,” he said. “She is a good player and we knew she could hit the eight- to 10-footer.”

Despite finishing with four fouls and playing fewer than 30 minutes, Lacy scored game highs in points, 26, and rebounds, 15.

Ethridge had 15 points for the Lady Techsters, who were seeking to become the second undefeated team in NCAA tournament history. Texas accomplished the feat at 34-0 in 1986.