Fifth-seeded Utah women upset TCU, claim MWC

Freshman Michelle Plouffe scored eight of her 24 points in overtime, sparking Utah to a 52-47 upset of Texas Christian on Saturday in the women's Mountain West Conference tournament final at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The fifth-seeded Utes (18-16) claimed the league's automatic NCAA Tournament bid with four wins in five days after finishing 7-9 in conference play.

Plouffe, whose buzzer-beater eliminated top-seeded Brigham Young in the semifinals, made a key 3-pointer with 1:14 left in regulation before Briesha Wynn's drive to the basket with 9.2 seconds left tied it at 42.

In overtime, Plouffe sank a jumper to put the Utes ahead for good at 46-45 with 1:52 left, then hit two free throws for a three-point lead.

Delisa Gross and Rachel Rentschler each scored 10 points for TCU (22-10).