ATLANTA - All-American Diana Taurasi will have a chance to win consecutive Naismith awards.
The Connecticut guard is one of 20 finalists for the award. given to the player of the year. She won last season after leading the Huskies to consecutive NCAA championships. The awards will be presented April 9.
Only three have won the award twice: Cheryl Miller (1984, '85, '86), Clarisa Davis (1987, '89), Dawn Staley (1991, '92) and Chamique Holdsclaw (1998, '99).
NO. 8 KANSAS ST. 59, TEXAS A&M 56: Laurie Koehn scored 22, including five 3-pointers, for the visiting Wildcats. Toccara Williams led the Aggies with 20 points.
NO. 24 OKLAHOMA 78, NO. 13 COLORADO 58: Maria Villaroel scored 28 and Dionnah Jackson had 11 assists for the host Sooners. Villaroel hit four 3-pointers.
NO. 22 MIAMI 85, SYRACUSE 65: Tamara James had 26 points and all five starters reached double figures for the visiting Hurricanes.
FLORIDA TECH 58, TAMPA 39: Yushanda Morse had 14 points and 22 rebounds for the host Spartans. It was her seventh double double.
FLORIDA SOUTHERN 63, ECKERD 50: Lucresia West had 22 points for the visiting Mocs.
