Georgia upends Texas — again

Baylor, Texas Tech advance; K-State falls to Vandy

? Georgia began the season by casting doubt on Texas as a championship team.

Then again, maybe Georgia was just establishing itself as one.

But little doubt will linger now about whether the Bulldogs are a legitimate contender, after sixth-seeded Georgia ousted third-seeded Texas, 70-68, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament Monday night.

Count Texas coach Jody Conradt among the believers.

“Could this game have been a Final Four game?” Conradt asked. “I think so.”

It certainly played out like one. Georgia (24-9) led for the entire game, but was forced to hold off Texas (22-9) down to the final buzzer, when Heather Schreiber’s three-point attempt fell dead at the corner of the rim.

It was a much different ending than when Texas and Georgia met in November. Back then, the Longhorns were ranked No. 2 and were a Final Four favorite, but the Bulldogs grounded Texas by rallying from a 15-point deficit before cruising to a 78-64 victory.

This time, Georgia’s victory denied Texas a trip to the round of 16 for the first time in four years. It’s the Longhorns’ earliest tournament exit since a first-round elimination in 2001.

“I haven’t been in too many locker rooms that were as depressed and despondent as this one,” said Conradt, who was coaching her 51st NCAA Tournament game.

Texas players walk off the court after their 70-68 loss to Georgia. UT lost the second-round NCAA Tournament game Monday in Dallas.

Down on the other bench, Georgia coach Andy Landers was in his 64th career tournament game, but acting like it was his last. Landers stammered, shouted and paced throughout the game, at one point putting one of his own players in a headlock to enhance his point to an official about a play under the basket.

Kansas City Regional

Michigan State 61, USC 59

Minneapolis — Rene Haynes saved top-seeded Michigan State from an embarrassingly early exit from the NCAA Tournament. Haynes came out of a wild scramble with the ball and made a layup with 2.9 seconds left, giving Michigan State a victory over eighth-seeded Southern California. Lindsay Bowen led Michigan State with 19 points, including four three-pointers in the second half.

Stanford 88, Utah 62

Fresno, Calif. — Stanford won handily without a huge contribution from standout freshman Candice Wiggins for a change. Brooke Smith scored 20 points to lead five players in double figures, and the top-ranked Cardinal cruised to set up a possible date with Connecticut in the regional semifinals.

Vanderbilt 63, Kansas State 60

Seattle — Carla Thomas scored 18 points, and fifth-seeded Vanderbilt overcame a late Kansas State rally to beat the fourth-seeded Wildcats. Kansas State senior Laurie Koehn broke the NCAA career record for three-pointers, hitting three to finish her career with 392. Erin Thorn of BYU made 391 from 1999-03. Vanderbilt (24-7) will play top-seeded Michigan State on Sunday in Kansas City, Mo. Kansas State (24-8) lost in the second round of the tournament for the third straight year, ending hopes of playing close to home next week.

Tempe Regional

Arizona St. 70, Notre Dame 61

Fresno, Calif. — Kylan Loney scored eight points in the final 1:29 and finished with 20 to help fifth-seeded Arizona State shock fourth-seeded Notre Dame.

Minnesota 73, Virginia 58

Minneapolis — Jamie Broback had 23 points and five rebounds to help third-seeded Minnesota beat Virginia for its third straight trip to the round of 16.

Baylor 69, Oregon 46

Seattle — Sophia Young scored 25 points on 11-of-19 shooting, and second-seeded Baylor pulled away with an 18-0 run. The Bears improved to 29-3, their most victories since winning 29 games in 1980-81.

Philadelphia Regional

Texas Tech 80, Middle Tennessee 69

Dallas — Alesha Robertson scored 25 points, and Cisti Greenwalt added 19 for fourth-seeded Texas Tech (24-7).