DES MOINES, Iowa – Tennessee was down 14 points against 11th-seeded Kansas, an unheralded bunch that few though could test the mighty Vols.

Feisty sophomore Meighan Simmons gave Tennessee the boost it needed to survive and advance to yet another regional final.

Simmons scored 16 of her 22 points off the bench in the second half and Tennessee rallied past the Jayhawks 84-73 on Saturday and advanced to its second straight regional final and 25th in 31 years.

Glory Johnson added 18 points for the second-seeded Vols (27-8), who will meet undefeated and top-seeded Baylor on Monday night for a spot in the Final Four.

It was the 1,098th win for Tennessee Coach Pat Summitt, who announced in August she’d been diagnosed with early onset dementia, Alzheimer’s type, and has yet to commit to coaching next season.

“The first half we tend to get ourselves in a hole, but we fought back,” said Tennessee associate head coach Holly Warlick. “I thought our bench was outstanding.”

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The Vols trailed 26-12 in the first half but cut the deficit to 35-30 by halftime. They took the lead for good with a 19-9 run to open the second half.

Angel Goodrich had a game-high 23 points and Aishah Sutherland had 19 for Kansas (21-13), which fell to 0-3 in regional semifinals.

BAYLOR 83, GEORGIA TECH 68: Brittney Griner capped a sensational performance with a two-handed dunk and Baylor stormed into the regional final for the third straight year by routing Georgia Tech at Des Moines, Iowa.

Griner, who finished with 35 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks, got behind the defense and threw down her slam with 6:29 left in yet another rout for the Bears — swinging briefly on the rim for good measure.

It was the second straight game in which the 6-foot-8 All-American dunked and the seventh slam of her college career. She’s now tied with former Tennessee star Candace Parker, whose two dunks in NCAA tournament play had been the most.

FRESNO REGIONAL

DUKE 74, ST. JOHN’S 47: Shay Selby took charge in the second half to finish with 18 points and seven assists, leading Duke over St. John’s in the regional semis.

Chelsea Gray, who grew up about 75 miles north in Stockton, scored 13 points and Tricia Liston had 15 for the second-seeded Blue Devils (25-5) in what became a surprising rout. Duke moved within one win of its first Final Four since 2006.


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