McCowan, Bulldogs turn back Washington

OKLAHOMA CITY >> Teaira McCowan scored 20 of her career-high 26 points in the fourth quarter, and Mississippi State defeated Washington 75-64 on Friday night to advance to the Elite Eight for the first time.

McCowan, a 6-foot-7 sophomore center who entered the game averaging just over eight points per game, made 9 of 10 field goals in the final 10 minutes. She scored 11 points in the first 2:33 of the fourth quarter to turn a two-point deficit into a seven-point lead for the second-seeded Bulldogs (32-4).

Plum scored 29 points and Chantel Osahor added 17 points and 11 rebounds in their final games for thirdseeded Washington, (296) which reached the Final Four last season.

Mississippi State led 3829 at halftime. Plum exploded for 10 points in the third quarter, and the defense picked up to help Washington take a 50-48 lead into the fourth quarter before McCowan took over.

Baylor 97, Louisville 63

OKLAHOMA CITY >> Nina Davis scored 21 points to help top-seeded Baylor defeat Louisville 97-63 on Friday to advance to the Elite Eight.

The Lady Bears were a No. 1 seed in 2013 when they lost to Louisville in the Sweet 16 in Oklahoma City. They played much better defense this time, holding fourth-seeded Louisville to 30 percent shooting.

Beatrice Mompremier and Alexis Prince each scored 14 points for Baylor (33-3), which advanced to play Mississippi State on Sunday for a spot in the Final Four. The Bulldogs defeated Washington 75-64 in the early game Friday night.

Asia Durr scored 21 points for Louisville (29-8).

Baylor never trailed, and the game was tied for just 13 seconds. The Lady Bears led by 18 at one point in the first half and were up 4331 at the break. Baylor continued to roll and led 7245 at the end of the third quarter.

SUE OGROCKI — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Mississippi State players celebrate after beating Washington in the NCAA women’s tournament Friday.