G. Mason topples W&M in CAA final


March 11, 2008 at 12:20a.m.

G. Mason topples W&M in CAA final

Siena earned its fourth trip to the NCAA tournament.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

RICHMOND, Va. — Folarin Campbell scored 20 points and Will Thomas added 18 and 13 rebounds as George Mason (23-10) beat William & Mary 68-59 to win the Colonial Athletic Association tournament Monday night.

The victory earned George Mason and coach Jim Larranaga a return to the tournament that made them America’s favorite underdogs two years ago.

Siena 74, Rider 53

ALBANY, N.Y. — Tay Fisher matched his career high with six 3-pointers in scoring 21 points for top-seeded Siena, which earned the school’s fourth berth in the NCAA tournament.

It was the sixth straight win for Siena (22-10), which last went to the NCAA tournament in 2002. Rider (23-10), the second seed and seeking its first tournament appearance since 1994, likely is headed to the NIT.

Kenny Hasbrouck had 17 points, Edwin Ubiles added 15, and Alex Franklin 10 for the Saints.

MAAC player of the year Jason Thompson led Rider with 22 points and 12 rebounds.

No. 23 Davidson 65, Elon 49

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — Another stellar performance by Stephen Curry, another Southern Conference title for No. 23 Davidson. Curry scored 23 points to lead the Wildcats back into the NCAA tournament with their third straight league crown and fourth since 2002.

San Diego 69, No. 20 Gonzaga 62

SAN DIEGO — Rob Jones and De’Jon Jackson keyed a huge second-half run for the Toreros, who stunned Gonzaga To win the West Coast Conference tournament championship and clinch their first NCAA tournament berth since 2003.

Women

HARTFORD, Conn. — Tina Charles scored 21 points and Renee Montgomery added 15 to help top-ranked Connecticut cruise past Pittsburgh 74-47 in the Big East conference tournament semifinals.

Connecticut held a 44-22 halftime lead, and Pittsburgh (22-10) could get no closer than 20 in the second half.

No. 23 Louisville 67, No. 16 West Virginia 60

HARTFORD, Conn. — Angel McCoughtry scored 24 points and Louisville advanced to its first Big East tournament final.

It was Louisville’s 10th win in its last 11 games, and followed Sunday’s 57-56 upset of No. 7 Rutgers.

Brandie Radde had 10 points for the Cardinals, who led by as many as 21 in the first half, and held off a late West Virginia charge.