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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
RUSTON, La. (AP) -- Pretty cool for a freshman.
Catrina Frierson stepped to the free-throw line with 2.5 seconds
left, knowing Louisiana Tech's season and coach Leon Barmore's
career hinged on her shots.
She made both and Louisiana Tech escaped with a 66-65 victory
over Vanderbilt on Monday night in the NCAA Midwest Regional,
extending Barmore's coaching career for at least one more game.
"I was nervous, and then Vanderbilt called a timeout and I had
that much longer to worry about it," said Frierson, a 73 percent
free-throw shooter. "Coach told me just to relax, he said he knew
I could make them, and I did."
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Monday,
March
20
Catrina Frierson hit the big free throws at the end, but you have to give credit to Ayana Walker. The sophomore power forward made winning plays down the stretch. She grabbed big rebounds, got the score right near the end of the game, and made
an offensive rebound that ultimately put the ball in Frierson's hands. Those kind of plays don't show up in the boxscore, but those are plays that win ballgames. Walker was magnificent.
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As a result, the Lady Techsters (30-2) won for the 20th straight
time and improved to 32-0 in NCAA Tournament games at home despite
shooting 31 percent and blowing an 11-point lead.
And Barmore will continue coaching. He announced last week that
he'll retire at the end of Tech's tournament run, which will
continue Saturday night in the regional semifinals in Kansas City
against Old Dominion.
But his long, successful career almost ended Monday night.
Vanderbilt (21-13), trailing 51-40 with 13:01 left, went on an
11-3 run to cut the margin to 54-51 with 7:58 remaining, and two
free throws by Chavonne Hammond pulled Vanderbilt to 54-53 with
5:12 left.
"In the second half we just executed our offense and go a lot
of good looks," Vanderbilt coach Jim Foster said. "We made our
shots and executed well on the boards."
With 14 seconds left, Vanderbilt pulled ahead 65-64 on two free
throws by Ashley McElhiney. Then, as Louisiana Tech was working for
a final shot, Chantelle Anderson fouled Frierson.
|  | | Vanderbilt's Chavonne Hammond attempts to drive past Louisiana Tech's Betty Lennox, who was called for a foul on the play. |
"I keep trying to play it back in my mind, but it happened so
fast I can't really remember it," Anderson said.
After a time out, the 6-foot-1 freshman hit the pressure-packed
free throws, knowing that if she missed both it would have been
Barmore's final game as coach.
Frierson led Tech with 18 points, Ayana Walker had 16 and
Tamicha Jackson had 11.
Anderson scored 23 points for Vanderbilt, Jillian Danker had 18
and Chavonne Hannond 10. Zuzana Klimesova had 13 rebounds for the
Commodores, who outrebounded Tech 43-35 but committed 23 turnovers.
Barmore received a standing ovation was walked onto the floor
before the game. Fans, some carrying signs that read, "Thanks for
the Memories Leon," and "We love you Leon," chanted "Leon,
Leon, Leon." Barmore acknowledged the cheers with a quick wave.
After the game, fans again chanted Barmore's name until he
returned to the court to acknowledge them.
"It was a great crowd," Barmore said. "They helped us with a
really tough win. We've played teams in the Final Four that weren't
as good as Vanderbilt. That's how much this game has improved."
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ALSO SEE
Womens College Basketball Scoreboard
Vanderbilt NCAA Team Report
Louisiana Tech NCAA Team Report
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Leon Barmore's not ready to retire.
avi: 759 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Catrina Frierson hits the game-winning free throw.
avi: 1475 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Ayana Walker hits a big turnaround jumper.
avi: 579 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Jillian Danker nails a three and keeps Vandy's hopes alive.
avi: 519 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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