Cunningham’s effort can’t lift Missouri

FLORIDA GULF COAST 80, MISSOURI 70

STANFORD, Calif. — China Dow scored 21 points and played stingy defense in the paint against Missouri star Sophie Cunningham, and Florida Gulf Coast pulled off a 80-70 upset in the Lexington Regional.

Cunningham took over on the low block to get Missouri (24-8) going and scored a season-high 35 points — most by a Tigers player in an NCAA tournament game — and made 14 of 16 free throws. But she didn’t get much help.

Dow made two free throws with 1:12 left as the Eagles kept pushing until the final buzzer to run their winning streak to 11 games with a 21st victory in the last 22 games.

Florida Gulf Coast (31-4) will play Monday against No. 4 seed Stanford (23-10), an 8268 winner against 13th-seeded Gonzaga in Saturday’s second game.

STANFORD 82, GONZAGA 68

STANFORD, Calif. — Alanna Smith scored 20 points, freshman Kiana Williams made a sensational women’s NCAA Tournament debut, and Stanford beat cold-shooting Gonzaga.

Williams scored 21 points and calmly pushed the pace on offense as the Cardinal created opportunities in transition.

Stanford (23-10) used a 9-0 run late in the third to pull away and overcame a tough shooting performance by Brittany McPhee, who had 11 points on 4-for-12 shooting. She also contributed 11 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals.