Augustus Lifts LSU to Victory

Seimone Augustus gave her old neighborhood -- and the rest of Baton Rouge -- another reason to celebrate.

Two days after the Louisiana State men reached the Final Four, Augustus led the Tigers to the Final Four.

She scored 17 of her 26 points in the second half, then drew the game-saving charge with 4.8 seconds left, sending LSU past Stanford, 62-59, Monday in the San Antonio Regional final.

The victory made LSU the seventh school to have its men’s and women’s teams playing in the Final Four, but Augustus’ focus is going out on top. The nation’s scoring leader and reigning national player of the year got this far the last two years, but the senior has yet to reach the title game.

“It’s just a great opportunity in front of us, to take advantage of it and end on a high note,” she said. “That’s the key.”

Augustus carried LSU (31-3) in the second half, making several clutch baskets, many coming after fighting for a rebound. Then, with the Tigers ahead 60-59 and Stanford star Candice Wiggins driving, she set her feet and drew a charge.

“I mean, Seimone was planted,” LSU Coach Pokey Chatman said. “I thought it was ironic that one of the best offensive players in the game made a defensive stop.”

Stanford (26-8) was especially upset because Wiggins passed the ball to Krista Rappahahn, who made a three-point field goal that didn’t count.

“It is disappointing to get this close and to see the ball go in the basket and then have it taken away from you,” Cardinal Coach Tara VanDerveer said. “I just think that’s a really tough way to lose a game. It really surprised me that that would be called then.... It seems at that point it would be a no-call.”

For all Augustus did, LSU point guard Erica White was a major factor too, with 14 points and seven assists. Wiggins, who made four of 11 three-pointers, led Stanford with 23 points.