Kentucky roars past Michigan State 70-52

WKAR Public Media

Published March 23, 2010 at 5:44 AM EDT

By AP

LOUISVILLE, KY – Victoria Dunlap scored 21 points to lead fourth-seeded Kentucky into the regional semifinals of the NCAA women's tournament for the first time in 28 years with a 70-52 victory over fifth-seeded Michigan State on Monday night.

The Wildcats (27-7) moved on behind a dominant second half and a suffocating defense that held the Spartans (23-10) to 35 percent shooting while forcing 18 turnovers.

Kentucky used a 24-6 run shortly after halftime to turn a two-point game into a rout.

Kalisha Keane led Michigan State with 10 points, but the NCAA-tested Spartans wilted in the second half against the smaller, quicker Wildcats.

Dunlap, the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, led the way, dominating 6-foot-9 Michigan State center Allyssa DeHaan by using ball fakes to slip past her for easy layups.

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