Pohlen's buzzer beater lifts Stanford past Xavier

By The Associated Press

• SACRAMENTO REGIONAL

Jeanette Pohlen drove the length of the court for the game-winning layin as the final buzzer sounded, lifting top-seeded Stanford (35-1) past third-seeded Xavier 55-53 in the Sacramento Regional final Monday night for a third straight trip to the Final Four.

Dee Dee Jernigan missed two wide-open layins in the closing 12 seconds for Xavier (30-4) that likely would have sent the Musketeers to San Antonio for their first Final Four.

The Cardinal's Kayla Pedersen inbounded the ball underneath Xavier's basket to Pohlen with less than five seconds left. Pohlen dribbled all the way for the winning shot. The play was briefly reviewed, then Stanford erupted in celebration once the officials ruled the basket good.

• MEMPHIS REGIONAL

Baylor 51, Duke 48; At Memphis, Tenn., Brittney Griner caught a pass, spun around and hit a short jumper with 45 seconds left to propel fourth-seeded Baylor (26-10) to a 51-48 win over No. 2-seeded Duke (30-6) for its second trip ever to the Final Four.

Duke led the entire second half and held a 46-38 advantage with 4:59 left before a pair of free throws by Kimetria Hayden launched a 13-2 run for the Lady Bears.

Hayden stole an inbounds pass by Joy Cheek and dished it to Melissa Jones for a layup with 2:10 left that pulled the Lady Bears within 48-47.

Two 3-point attempts by Cheek in the last 17 seconds bounced off the rim.