Tennessee guard Meighan Simmons (10) drives around Louisville guard Antonita Slaughter Tuesday in the NCAA women’s college basketball tournament in Oklahoma City.OKLAHOMA CITY – Shoni Schimmel scored 24 points and giant-slaying Louisville claimed another big upset Tuesday night, beating second-seeded Tennessee 86-78 and earning the school’s second trip to the women’s basketball Final Four.
Two nights after taking down Brittney Griner and defending national champion Baylor, the fifth-seeded Cardinals (28-8) built a 20-point lead and then withstood a second-half comeback by the longtime powerhouse Lady Vols (27-8) before celebrating another big victory.
When it was over, the Cardinals huddled at center court and celebrated. Tennessee headed home with a third straight loss in a regional final, failing to make the Final Four for a fifth straight year.
“We ruined the entire party,” Louisville coach Jeff Walz said. “We’re the ugly ducklings that ruined the party. No one gave us a chance and we shocked everybody. It’s a journey and we’re going to continue.”
Taber Spani led the Lady Vols with 20 points, and Meighan Simmons and Kamiko Williams chipped in 12 apiece.