One of these days, LSU's slow starts and soft spots are going to catch up to it. But not yesterday. The Tigers once again overcame a first-half deficit to get the win and the ticket to Boston.

Seimone Augustus put on her usual second-half offensive show. But it was a defensive play down the stretch that clinched the game. Ahead by one with five seconds left and the ball in Candice Wiggins's hands, Augustus left Krista Rappahahn to help on as Wiggins drove. Wiggins dished but plowed into Augustus for a charge.

"It was kind of ironic that somebody who has carried us offensively made a big defensive play," LSU assistant Bob Starkey said. "And it took a little courage for her to make it. It was kind of a calculated gamble, but she got there in plenty of time, got set, and took a good shot."

Calculated gamble indeed. Leaving a 44% three-point shooter wide open — after she had been specifically instructed in the huddle to stay on her — and putting the game in the refs' hands... was it a risk worth taking?

Yes, said Seimone. “It’s about taking risks,” she explained. "Candice came down kind of out of control. I saw an opportunity, and it worked out to my advantage.”

Stanford didn't love the call. "I just think that's a really tough way to lose a game," coach Tara VanDerveer said. It really surprised me that that would be called then. It seems at that point it would be a no-call."

Voepel says it was another frustrating "almost" for Stanford. Still, as Ann Killion says, this ended up being a pretty damn good "in-between" rebuilding year for the Cardinal.