KNOXVILLE, Tenn., March 31 (UPI) -- Gwen Jackson scored 20 points as top-seeded Tennessee advanced to the women's NCAA Final Four with a 73-49 victory Monday night over second-seeded Villanova in the Midwest Regional final.
Jackson, named the Midwest Regional's MVP, recorded eight points during Tennessee's 23-3 run to begin the second half. Overall, she went 9-for-13 from the floor and grabbed eight rebounds to help the Lady Vols improve to 44-0 in NCAA Tournament home games on their way to their 14th Final Four.
Tennessee (32-4) never trailed and led by as many as 11 points in the first half. Villanova battled back and whittled the lead down to as little as one with 1:50 left in the opening 20 minutes.
The Wildcats (28-6) were stymied to start the second half and,after a 3-pointer by Trish Juhline, were held without a point for a 7:15 span.
Kara Lawson and Shyra Ely, who were both named to the all-tournament team, combined for 29 points and 17 rebounds for Tennessee, which controlled the boards by a 42-17 margin.
Juhline and Courtney Mix each scored 17 points and dished out three assists on their way to all-tournament honors for Villanova (28-6), which had its seven-game winning streak halted.
Tennessee will travel to Atlanta to face the winner of the Duke-Texas Tech matchup in the national semifinals on Sunday night.
