1988 NCAA Division I women's basketball championship game

Women's basketball championship game May 2024 March 2026 NCAA Division I women's basketball championship game ncg NCAA primary logo 1980 reserved.svg w 1987–88 Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters Louisiana Tech University 31–2 Leon Barmore 5 5 Auburn Tigers Auburn University 32–2 Joe Ciampi 3 3 17 39 31 23 April 3, 1988 Tacoma Dome Tacoma, Washington Erica Westbrooks, Louisiana Tech CBS Tim Brant (play-by-play) and Mimi Griffin (analyst) 1987 1989 The 1988 NCAA Division I women's basketball championship game was the final game of the 1988 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament. It determined the champion of the 1987–88 NCAA Division I women's basketball season and was contested by the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters and the Auburn Tigers. The game was played on April 3, 1988, at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington. After trailing 31–17 at halftime, No. 5 Louisiana Tech stormed back to defeat No. 3 Auburn 56–54 to capture the program's second NCAA national championship.La. Tech Rallies to Win Title https://www.nytimes.com/1988/04/04/sports/women-s-ncaa-la-tech-rallies-to-win-title.html The New York Times April 4, 1988 May 4, 2024 Erica Westbrooks was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. Participants Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters 1987–88 Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters basketball team The Lady Techsters, who represented the Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana, were led by head coach Leon Barmore, in his 3rd season as head coach at the school. After finishing runner-up the prior season, Louisiana Tech opened this season ranked No. 5 in the AP poll and, like Auburn, spent the entirety of the season inside the top 5. They finished the regular season right back where they started ranked No. 5 in both major polls. In the NCAA tournament, La Tech defeated Kansas, Ole Miss, and No. 4 Texas to reach the fourth NCAA Final Four in program history. They won 68–59 over No. 1 and defending National champion Tennessee in the national semifinalLOUISIANA TECH TO PLAY AUBURN FINAL https://www.nytimes.com/1988/04/02/sports/louisiana-tech-to-play-auburn-final.html The New York Times April 2, 1988 May 4, 2024 to reach the national championship game with a 31–2 record. The Lady Techsters knocked off the top-ranked, defending National champions in the National semifinal for the second straight season. Auburn Tigers 1987–88 Auburn Tigers women's basketball team The Tigers, who represented the Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, were led by head coach Joe Ciampi in his 9th season at the school. Auburn began the season ranked No. 3 in the AP Poll. After spending the first 14 polls at either No. 3 or No. 2, the Tigers peaked at No. 1 for two of the final three weeks before finishing the regular season back at No. 3 in both major polls. Playing as the No. 1 seed in the Mideast region of the NCAA tournament, the Lady Tigers defeated Penn State, No. 17 Georgia (on the road), and No. 9 Maryland to reach the first Final Four in program history. In the National semifinals, Auburn defeated No. 7 Long Beach State, 68–55.CS Long Beach Makes Run For It, Then Gives it Away in 68-55 Loss https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-04-02-sp-623-story.html The Los Angeles Times April 2, 1988 May 4, 2024 The 32–2 Tigers entered the matchup with No. 5 Louisiana Tech as the slight favorite. Starting lineups Louisiana Tech Position Auburn Teresa Weatherspoon G Ruthie Bolton Angela Lawson G Venus Lacy C Vickie Orr Nora Lewis F Sharon Stewart F Source Game summary #e3e3e3 April 3, 1988 No. 5 Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters 56 No. 3 Auburn Tigers 54 17–31 39–23 Tacoma Dome – Tacoma, Washington CBS Media coverage The game was broadcast on CBS. References 2 Championship Category:NCAA Division I women's basketball championship games Category:College basketball tournaments in Washington (state) NCAA Division I Women NCAA Division I women's basketball championship game Category:Women's sports in Washington (state) Category:Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters basketball Category:Auburn Tigers women's basketball