The men's NCAA tournament's most captivating story, tiny ST. JOSEPHS,
with a small lineup, coached by PHIL MARTELLI, who made CBS announcer Billy Packer eat his words, was edged out by Oklahoma State in the Elite Eight, and missed the Final Four by ONE POINT.

That leaves us with to focus on the Ladies NCAA tournament, with All American,
and # 1 Pro Draft pick Diana Taurasi of Connecticut, to face off against Kelly Mazzante of Penn State, also an All American, and ALL Time Big Ten.

That's Monday on ESPN for a berth in the Ladies Final Four.

Below are articles regarding both of their most recent games
UConn vs UC Santa Barbara, and Penn State vs.Notre Dame.
================================================
HUSKIES BEAT FEISTY GAUCHOS.
TAURASI CONTRIBUTES CLUTCH SHOOTING

Connecticut wins a defensive battle with 11th-seeded UC Santa Barbara, 63-55.
Los Angeles Times
From Associated Press
March 28, 2004

HARTFORD, Conn. — Having Diana Taurasi isn't the only thing that separates Connecticut from just about every other team.

The Huskies' defense is downright nasty, and that's what saved them from a stunning upset Saturday.

Connecticut needed every stop it could muster, plus some clutch shooting from Taurasi, to beat feisty UC Santa Barbara, 63-55, and advance to the East Regional final against top-seeded Penn State on Monday night.

"I thought both teams were tremendous on defense," Connecticut Coach Geno Auriemma said. "That was as hard as anybody has played against us and as well. And I thought we were just as good. That's probably why we're both here. Teams that don't play good defense are not playing at this point."

Second-seeded Connecticut (28-4), seeking its fourth national championship in five years, held UC Santa Barbara to 32% shooting and frustrated Lindsay Taylor, the Gauchos' 6-foot-8 center...

Taurasi led Connecticut with 21 points and became the school's all-time leader in assists...(came) through to keep the Gauchos at bay down the stretch. She also had five rebounds and her four assists gave her 640, breaking Jennifer Rizzotti's record of 637....
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
WITH HELP FROM MAZZANTE, PENN STATE BEATS NOTRE DAME

Los Angeles Times
From Associated Press
March 28, 2004

Penn State relied on Kelly Mazzante's offense throughout the season. On Saturday, the Nittany Lions needed her defense too.

Mazzante made a floating jumper with 46 seconds left and a key steal down the stretch to lead top-seeded Penn State to a 55-49 victory over Notre Dame in the East Regional semifinals at Hartford, Conn.

Mazzante finished with 17 points and a team-high three steals — one to open the game, one that led to an easy basket and one that helped clinch the victory...

The Nittany Lions (28-5) and Mazzante struggled offensively against Notre Dame's stubborn zone but made the big shots and big plays when they needed it most. Neither team led by more than six points.

"We didn't attack [the zone] enough and they kept pushing us back farther and farther past the three-point," Mazzante said. "I think we made some adjustments at halftime and we started going in the right direction."

Penn State will play second-seeded Connecticut on Monday for a berth in the Final Four...

Mazzante hit the go-ahead basket on the next to last possession and got right back on defense. She leaped high to steal a pass intended for Batteast with 35 seconds left, and Penn State was in control the rest of the way.