1985 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament

The 1985 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament began on March 14 and ended on March 31 and featured 32 teams. The Final Four consisted of Old Dominion, Northeast Louisiana, Western Kentucky, and Georgia, with Old Dominion defeating Georgia, 70–65 in the championship game.[1] Old Dominion's Tracy Claxton was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.[2]

1985 NCAA Division I
women's basketball tournament
Teams32
Finals siteFrank Erwin Center
Austin, Texas
ChampionsOld Dominion (1st title, 1st title game,
2nd Final Four)
Runner-upGeorgia (1st title game,
2nd Final Four)
Semifinalists
Winning coachMarianne Stanley (1st title)
MOPTracy Claxton (Old Dominion)
NCAA Division I women's tournaments
«1984 1986»

1985 is the first year ESPN began televising some of the Tournament games. They televised two of the four Regional finals (East and West Regional), as well as the two national semifinals. The Georgia vs Western Kentucky match up was shown live, while the Old Dominion vs. Northeast Louisiana game was shown tape-delayed.[3] The Championship game was broadcast by CBS.[4]

Notable events

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Georgia faced Western Kentucky in the semi-final. This was a rematch of a game played in December, when Western Kentucky prevailed, 72–67. However, in that game, Katrina McClain had been sidelined with an ankle injury. She was available to play in the Final Four, and achieved a career high total of 25 points. Her teammate, Teresa Edwards, scored 27, and the two helped Georgia win the semi-final 91–78.[5]

 
Katrina McClain, Georgia, in championship game

In the championship game, Georgia took on Old Dominion. The Lady Monarchs weren't hitting their shots, scoring on only 38% of their field goal attempts, but they made up for their misses with rebounds. The Old Dominion team had set an NCAA Final Four record (still standing in 2012) with 57 rebounds in the semi-final game, and they repeated that performance in the championship game, pulling down 57 rebounds and limiting Georgia to 30. The game would be close, but Old Dominion prevailed, 70–65, to win the national Championship.[6]

Records

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In the second half of the semi-final game between Georgia and Western Kentucky, Georgia scored 57 points while Western Kentucky scored 44. The combined point total of 101 points in a half, as well as the points scored by a single team in a half are both Final Four records, still standing in 2012.[3]

In the other semi-final game, Old Dominion pulled down 57 rebounds against Northeast Louisiana. That number still stands as a Final Four rebounds record, although it was tied two days later by Old Dominion in the championship game against Georgia.[3]

In a first-round game, Teresa Carmichael of Saint Joseph's University, attempted eleven field goals and hit all eleven. That's the most number of field goal attempts without a miss in tournament history, though 2012.[3]

Qualifying teams – automatic

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Thirty-two teams were selected to participate in the 1985 NCAA Tournament. Eighteen conferences were eligible for an automatic bid to the 1985 NCAA tournament.[3]

Automatic Bids
    Record  
Qualifying School Conference Regular
Season
Conference Seed
Pennsylvania State University Atlantic 10 27–4 7–1 3
North Carolina State University ACC 24–5 13–1 4
Syracuse University Big East 18–12 10–6 8
University of Missouri Big Eight 22–8 12–2 7
Ohio State University Big Ten 26–2 18–0 2
Brigham Young University High Country 19–8 11–1 8
University of Memphis Metro 23–6 9–1 6
College of the Holy Cross MAAC 21–6 9–3 7
Western Michigan University MAC 19–9 14–4 8
Illinois State University Missouri Valley Conference 23–5 17–1 8
University of Idaho Mountain West 28–1 13–1 5
University of Washington Northern Pacific 26–1 11–0 3
Middle Tennessee State University Ohio Valley Conference 23–6 13–1 5
University of Tennessee SEC 21–9 4–4 3
Northeast Louisiana University Southland 27–1 12–0 2
University of Texas at Austin Southwest 27–2 16–0 1
Old Dominion University Sun Belt Conference 26–3 6–0 1
California State University, Long Beach Western Collegiate 26–2 13–1 1

Qualifying teams – at-large

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Fourteen additional teams were selected to complete the thirty-two invitations.[3]

At-large bids
    Record  
Qualifying school Conference Regular
Season
Conference Seed
Saint Joseph's University Atlantic 10 25–4 7–1 5
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ACC 21–10 11–3 6
University of Virginia ACC 21–7 9–5 6
Louisiana Tech University Independent 27–3 1
University of Southern Mississippi Metro 21–8 8–2 7
Tennessee Technological University Ohio Valley Conference 20–8 12–2 7
University of Nevada, Las Vegas Pacific Coast 25–4 8–0 4
Auburn University SEC 24–5 5–3 3
University of Georgia SEC 25–4 7–1 2
University of Mississippi SEC 27–2 8–0 2
Western Kentucky University Sun Belt Conference 26–5 5–1 4
San Diego State University Western Collegiate 20–8 9–5 5
University of Southern California Western Collegiate 19–8 10–4 4
University of California, Los Angeles Western Collegiate 19–9 10–4 6

Bids by conference

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Bids Conference Teams
4 SEC Auburn, Georgia, Ole Miss, Tennessee
4 Western Collegiate Long Beach St., San Diego St., Southern California, UCLA
3 ACC North Carolina, North Carolina St., Virginia
2 Atlantic 10 Penn St., St. Joseph’s
2 Metro Memphis, Southern Miss.
2 Ohio Valley Middle Tenn., Tennessee Tech
2 Sun Belt Old Dominion, Western Ky.
1 Big East Syracuse
1 Big Eight Missouri
1 Big Ten Ohio St.
1 High Country BYU
1 Independent Louisiana Tech
1 Metro Atlantic Holy Cross
1 Mid-American Western Mich.
1 Missouri Valley Illinois St.
1 Mountain West Idaho
1 Northern Pacific Washington
1 Pacific Coast UNLV
1 Southland Northeast La.
1 Southwest Texas

Bids by state

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The thirty-two teams came from twenty-one states. California and Tennessee had the most teams with four each. Twenty-nine states did not have any teams receiving bids.[3]

 
NCAA Women's basketball Tournament invitations by state
Bids State Teams
4 California Long Beach St, San Diego St, Southern California, UCLA
4 Tennessee Memphis, Middle Tenn, Tennessee, Tennessee Tech
2 Louisiana Northeast La., Louisiana Tech
2 Mississippi Ole Miss, Southern Miss
2 North Carolina North Carolina St, North Carolina
2 Pennsylvania Penn St, St Joseph’s
2 Virginia Old Dominion, Virginia
1 Alabama Auburn
1 Georgia Georgia
1 Idaho Idaho
1 Illinois Illinois St
1 Kentucky Western Ky
1 Massachusetts Holy Cross
1 Michigan Western Mich
1 Missouri Missouri
1 Nevada UNLV
1 New York Syracuse
1 Ohio Ohio St
1 Texas Texas
1 Utah BYU
1 Washington Washington

Round 1 venues

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The 32 teams were seeded, and assigned to four geographic regions, with seeds 1-8 in each region. In Round 1, the higher seed was given the opportunity to host the first-round game. In each case, the higher seed accepted the opportunity.

 
 
Columbus
 
Norfolk
 
Raleigh
 
University Park
 
Knoxville
 
Austin
 
Bowling Green
 
Oxford
 
Auburn
 
Ruston
 
Monroe
 
Las Vegas
 
Athens
 
Long Beach
 
Los Angeles
 
Seattle
1985 NCAA first round
Region Host Venue City State
East Ohio State University St. John Arena Columbus Ohio
East Old Dominion University ODU Fieldhouse Norfolk Virginia
East North Carolina State University Reynolds Coliseum Raleigh North Carolina
East Pennsylvania State University Rec Hall University Park Pennsylvania
Mideast University of Tennessee Stokely Athletic Center Knoxville Tennessee
Mideast University of Texas Frank Erwin Center Austin Texas
Mideast Western Kentucky University E.A. Diddle Arena Bowling Green Kentucky
Mideast University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) Tad Smith Coliseum Oxford Mississippi
Midwest Auburn University Memorial Coliseum Auburn Alabama
Midwest Louisiana Tech University Thomas Assembly Center Ruston Louisiana
Midwest Northeast Louisiana University Ewing Coliseum Monroe Louisiana
Midwest University of Nevada, Las Vegas Thomas and Mack Center Las Vegas Nevada
West University of Georgia Georgia Coliseum Athens Georgia
West Long Beach State University Gym Long Beach California
West University of Southern California Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena Los Angeles California
West University of Washington Hec Edmundson Pavilion Seattle Washington

Regionals and Final Four

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Norfolk
 
Monroe
 
Bowling Green
 
Los Angeles
 
Austin
1985 NCAA regionals and Final Four

The regionals, named for the general location, were held from March 21 to March 24 at these sites:

Each regional winner advanced to the Final Four held March 29 and March 31 in Austin, Texas at the Frank Erwin Center

Brackets

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East regional – Old Dominion – Norfolk, VA (Old Dominion University Fieldhouse)

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First round
March 14–16
Regional semifinals
March 21–22
Regional finals
March 23
         
1 Old Dominion 88
8 Syracuse 63
1 Old Dominion 77
4 N.C. State 67
4 NC State 67
5 Saint Joseph's 63
1 Old Dominion 72
2 Ohio State 68
3 Penn State 98
6 North Carolina 79
3 Penn State 78
2 Ohio State 81
2 Ohio State 102
7 Holy Cross 60

Midwest regional – Northeast Louisiana University – Monroe, LA (Fant–Ewing Coliseum)

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First round
March 14 – 16
Regional semifinals
March 21 – 22
Regional finals
March 24
         
1 Louisiana Tech 81
8 Illinois State 57
1 Louisiana Tech 94
5 San Diego State 64
4 UNLV 68
5 San Diego State 70
1 Louisiana Tech 76
2 Northeast Louisiana 85
3 Auburn 82
6 Memphis State 64
3 Auburn 71
2 Northeast Louisiana 76
2 Northeast Louisiana 85 (OT)
7 Missouri 84

Mideast regional – Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY (E. A. Diddle Arena)

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First round
March 14 – 16
Regional semifinals
March 21 – 22
Regional finals
March 23
         
1 Texas 84
8 Western Michigan 62
1 Texas 90
4 Western Kentucky 92
4 Western Kentucky 90
5 Middle Tennessee State 83
4 Western Kentucky 72
2 Ole Miss 68
3 Tennessee 65
6 Virginia 55
3 Tennessee 60
2 Ole Miss 63
2 Ole Miss 81
7 Southern Mississippi 68

West regional – UCLA, Los Angeles, CA (Pauley Pavilion)

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First round
March 14 – 16
Regional semifinals
March 21–22
Regional finals
March 24
         
1 Long Beach State 112
8 BYU 85
1 Long Beach State 75
4 USC 72
4 USC 74
5 Idaho 51
1 Long Beach State 82
2 Georgia 97
3 Washington 62
6 UCLA 78
6 UCLA 42
2 Georgia 78
2 Georgia 91
7 Tennessee Tech 74

Final Four – University of Texas – Austin, Texas (Frank Erwin Center)

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National semifinals
March 29
National championship
March 31
      
1E Old Dominion 57
2MW Northeast Louisiana 47
1E Old Dominion 70
2W Georgia 65
4ME Western Kentucky 78
2W Georgia 91

Record by conference

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Eleven conferences had more than one bid, or at least one win in NCAA Tournament play:[3]

Conference # of Bids Record Win % Round
of 32
Sweet
Sixteen
Elite
Eight
Final
Four
Championship
Game
Southeastern 4 8–4 .667 4 4 2 1 1
Western Collegiate 4 5–4 .556 4 4 1
Atlantic Coast 3 1–3 .250 1 1
Sun Belt 2 8–1 .889 2 2 2 2 1
Atlantic 10 2 1–2 .333 1 1
Metro 2 0–2
Ohio Valley 2 0–2
Southland 1 3–1 .750 1 1 1 1
Big Ten 1 2–1 .667 1 1 1
Independent 1 2–1 .667 1 1 1
Southwest 1 1–1 .500 1 1

Nine conferences went 0-1: Big East, Big Eight, High Country, MAAC, MAC, Missouri Valley Conference, Mountain West, Northern Pacific, and Pacific Coast [3]

All-Tournament team

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Game officials

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  • Bob Olsen (semifinal)
  • John Schleyer (semifinal)
  • June Courteau (semifinal, final)
  • Bill Stokes (semifinal, final)[3]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Gregory Cooper. "1984 NCAA National Championship Tournament". Archived from the original on October 20, 2009. Retrieved March 30, 2007.
  2. ^ "CHN Basketball History: Most Outstanding Player". Archived from the original on January 25, 2008. Retrieved March 30, 2007.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Nixon, Rick. "Official 2012 NCAA Women's Final Four Records Book" (PDF). NCAA. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
  4. ^ DiGiovanna, Mike (March 31, 1985). "Some Eyes of Texas on Women's Final, but Is That Enough?". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  5. ^ DiGIOVANNA, MIKE (March 30, 1985). "NCAA Women's Basketball : Georgia, Old Dominion Gain Final". LA Times. Retrieved April 23, 2012.
  6. ^ DIGIOVANNA, MIKE (April 1, 1985). "Old Dominion Muscles Its Way Past Georgia to Title". LA Times. Retrieved April 23, 2012.