# 1989 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament

The 1989 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament began on March 15 and ended on April 2. The tournament expanded from 40 to 48 teams. The Final Four consisted of Auburn, Louisiana Tech, Tennessee, and Maryland, with Tennessee winning its second title with a 76–60 victory over Auburn. Tennessee's Bridgette Gordon was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.

## Records

Auburn has only six turnovers in the National Semi-final game against Louisiana Tech, the fewest turnovers recorded in a Final Four game.
Bridgette Gordon scored 17 points from the free throw line in the East Regional final between Tennessee and Long Beach state, the most ever scored in an NCAA tournament game.
Maryland had 25 steals in a game against Stephen F. Austin in the West Regional semifinal, the most in an NCAA tournament game, since the statistic has been recorded (starting in 1988).
Jennifer Azzi hit nine of eleven three point attempts over the course of the tournament, the best percentage ever recorded in a tournament game (minimum- 1.5 made per game)
Stanford hit 22 of 33 three point attempts over the course of the tournament, the best percentage ever recorded in a tournament game (minimum - three games)

## Qualifying teams – automatic

Forty-eight teams were selected to participate in the 1989 NCAA Tournament. Nineteen conferences were eligible for an automatic bid to the 1989 NCAA tournament.
Automatic bids :
| | | Record | Record | |
| Qualifying school | Conference | Regular Season | Conference | Seed |
| Bowling Green State University | MAC | 25–3 | 16–0 | 9 |
| University of Tennessee at Chattanooga | Southern Conference | 19–11 | 5–5 | 12 |
| University of Colorado at Boulder | Big Eight | 27–3 | 14–0 | 3 |
| University of Connecticut | Big East | 24–5 | 13–2 | 8 |
| College of the Holy Cross | MAAC | 21–9 | 10–2 | 9 |
| Illinois State University | Missouri Valley Conference | 22–7 | 16–2 | 7 |
| James Madison University | Colonial | 25–3 | 12–0 | 6 |
| California State University, Long Beach | Big West Conference | 28–4 | 18–0 | 2 |
| University of Maryland, College Park | ACC | 26–2 | 13–1 | 1 |
| University of Montana | Big Sky Conference | 26–3 | 16–0 | 10 |
| Ohio State University | Big Ten | 23–5 | 16–2 | 3 |
| University of South Carolina | Metro | 23–6 | 10–2 | 6 |
| Stanford University | Pac-10 | 26–2 | 18–0 | 2 |
| University of Tennessee | SEC | 30–2 | 8–1 | 1 |
| Tennessee Technological University | Ohio Valley Conference | 21–7 | 9–3 | 11 |
| University of Texas at Austin | Southwest | 25–4 | 16–0 | 2 |
| University of Utah | High Country | 24–5 | 9–1 | 11 |
| West Virginia University | Atlantic 10 | 23–7 | 12–6 | 12 |
| Western Kentucky University | Sun Belt Conference | 22–8 | 5–1 | 5 |

## Qualifying teams – at-large

Twenty-nine additional teams were selected to complete the forty-eight invitations.
At-large bids :
| | | Record | Record | |
| Qualifying school | Conference | Regular Season | Conference | Seed |
| University of Arkansas | Southwest | 22–7 | 13–3 | 12 |
| Auburn University | Southeastern | 28–1 | 9–0 | 1 |
| California State University, Fullerton | Big West | 21–8 | 12–6 | 7 |
| University of Cincinnati | Metro | 21–8 | 6–6 | 8 |
| Clemson University | Atlantic Coast | 19–10 | 9–5 | 4 |
| University of Georgia | Southeastern | 22–6 | 6–3 | 5 |
| University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa | Big West | 18–9 | 13–3 | 12 |
| University of Iowa | Big Ten | 26–4 | 16–2 | 3 |
| La Salle University | Metro Atlantic | 27–2 | 11–1 | 9 |
| Louisiana Tech University | American South | 29–3 | 10–0 | 1 |
| Louisiana State University | Southeastern | 18–10 | 5–4 | 4 |
| University of Miami | Independent | 21–7 | -– | 8 |
| University of Mississippi | Southeastern | 21–7 | 4–5 | 3 |
| North Carolina State University | Atlantic Coast | 23–6 | 12–2 | 2 |
| Northwestern State University | Southland | 22–7 | 11–3 | 10 |
| Oklahoma State University–Stillwater | Big Eight | 19–11 | 8–6 | 9 |
| Old Dominion University | Sun Belt | 22–8 | 5–1 | 6 |
| Providence College | Big East | 22–10 | 10–6 | 11 |
| Purdue University | Big Ten | 23–5 | 14–4 | 5 |
| Rutgers University | Atlantic 10 | 23–6 | 16–2 | 7 |
| University of Southern Mississippi | Metro | 26–4 | 10–2 | 10 |
| Saint Joseph's University | Atlantic 10 | 22–7 | 16–2 | 10 |
| Stephen F. Austin State University | Southland | 29–3 | 13–1 | 4 |
| Temple University | Atlantic 10 | 21–9 | 14–4 | 8 |
| University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Big West | 25–6 | 13–5 | 6 |
| Vanderbilt University | Southeastern | 21–7 | 5–4 | 7 |
| Villanova University | Big East | 18–11 | 11–5 | 11 |
| University of Virginia | Atlantic Coast | 20–9 | 8–6 | 4 |
| University of Washington | Pacific-10 | 22–9 | 15–3 | 5 |

## Bids by conference

Nineteen conferences earned an automatic bid. In seven cases, the automatic bid was the only representative from the conference. Two conferences, Southland and American South sent a single representative as an at-large team. One team earned an at-large bid as an Independent Twenty-six additional at-large teams were selected from ten of the conferences.
| Bids | Conference | Teams |
| 6 | Southeastern | Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Mississippi, Tennessee, Vanderbilt |
| 4 | Big West | Cal St Fullerton, Hawaii, Long Beach St, UNLV |
| 4 | Atlantic Coast | Clemson, Maryland, North Carolina St, Virginia |
| 4 | Atlantic 10 | Rutgers, St Joseph's, Temple, West Virginia |
| 3 | Metro | Cincinnati, South Carolina, Southern Miss |
| 3 | Big Ten | Iowa, Ohio St, Purdue |
| 3 | Big East | Connecticut, Providence, Villanova |
| 2 | Sun Belt | Old Dominion, Western Ky |
| 2 | Southwest | Arkansas, Texas |
| 2 | Southland | Northwestern St, Stephen F. Austin |
| 2 | Pacific-10 | Stanford, Washington |
| 2 | Metro Atlantic | Holy Cross, La Salle |
| 2 | Big Eight | Colorado, Oklahoma St |
| 1 | Southern | Chattanooga |
| 1 | Ohio Valley | Tennessee Tech |
| 1 | Missouri Valley | Illinois St |
| 1 | Mid-American | Bowling Green |
| 1 | Independent | Miami |
| 1 | High Country | Utah |
| 1 | Colonial | James Madison |
| 1 | Big Sky | Montana |
| 1 | American South | Louisiana Tech |

## First and second rounds

In 1989, the field expanded to 48 teams. The teams were seeded, and assigned to four geographic regions, with seeds 1–12 in each region. In Round 1, seeds 8 and 9 faced each other for the opportunity to face the 1 seed in the second round, seeds 7 and 10 played for the opportunity to face the 2 seed, seeds 5 and 12 played for the opportunity to face the 4 seed, and seeds 6 and 11 played for the opportunity to face the 3 seed. In the first two rounds, the higher seed was given the opportunity to host the first-round game. In most cases, the higher seed accepted the opportunity. The exceptions:
* Fifth seeded Purdue played fourth seeded LSU at Purdue
* Tenth seeded Montana played seventh seeded Cal St. Fullerton at Montana
* Ninth seeded Oklahoma State played eighth seeded Miami(FL) at Oklahoma State
* Seventh seeded Vanderbilt played tenth seeded St. Joseph's at St. Joseph's
* Ninth seeded Bowling Green played eighth seeded Cincinnati at Bowling Green
Because Purdue was also a first round venue, there are only 31 rather than 32 first and second round venues
The following table lists the region, host school, venue and the thirty-one first and second round locations:
| Region | Rnd | Host | Venue | City | State |
| East | 1 | Western Kentucky University | E.A. Diddle Arena | Bowling Green | Kentucky |
| East | 1 | James Madison University | James Madison University Convocation Center | Harrisonburg | Virginia |
| East | 1 | University of Connecticut | Hugh S. Greer Field House | Storrs | Connecticut |
| East | 1 | Vanderbilt University | Memorial Gymnasium (Vanderbilt University) | Nashville | Tennessee |
| East | 1 | University of Tennessee | Thompson-Boling Arena | Knoxville | Tennessee |
| East | 2 | Ohio State University | St. John Arena | Columbus | Ohio |
| East | 2 | Long Beach State | University Gym (Gold Mine) | Long Beach | California |
| East | 2 | University of Virginia | University Hall (University of Virginia) | Charlottesville | Virginia |
| Mideast | 1 | University of Georgia | Georgia Coliseum (Stegeman Coliseum) | Athens | Georgia |
| Mideast | 1 | Rutgers University | Louis Brown Athletic Center | Piscataway | New Jersey |
| Mideast | 1 | Old Dominion University | Old Dominion University Fieldhouse | Norfolk | Virginia |
| Mideast | 1 | Temple University | McGonigle Hall | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania |
| Mideast | 2 | North Carolina State University | Reynolds Coliseum | Raleigh | North Carolina |
| Mideast | 2 | University of Mississippi | Tad Smith Coliseum | Oxford | Mississippi |
| Mideast | 2 | Auburn University | Memorial Coliseum (Beard–Eaves–Memorial Coliseum) | Auburn | Alabama |
| Mideast | 2 | Clemson University | Littlejohn Coliseum | Clemson | South Carolina |
| Midwest | 1 | University of South Carolina | Carolina Coliseum | Columbia | South Carolina |
| Midwest | 1 | Oklahoma State University | Gallagher-Iba Arena | Stillwater | Oklahoma |
| Midwest | 1 | Illinois State University | Redbird Arena | Normal | Illinois |
| Midwest | 1 & 2 | Purdue University | Mackey Arena | West Lafayette | Indiana |
| Midwest | 2 | Louisiana Tech University | Thomas Assembly Center | Ruston | Louisiana |
| Midwest | 2 | University of Iowa | Carver–Hawkeye Arena | Iowa City | Iowa |
| Midwest | 2 | Stanford University | Maples Pavilion | Stanford | California |
| West | 1 | University of Montana | Dahlberg Arena | Missoula | Montana |
| West | 1 | University of Washington | Hec Edmundson Pavilion | Seattle | Washington |
| West | 1 | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | South Gym | Las Vegas | Nevada |
| West | 1 | Bowling Green State University | Anderson Arena | Bowling Green | Ohio |
| West | 2 | University of Maryland | Cole Field House | College Park | Maryland |
| West | 2 | University of Texas | Frank Erwin Center | Austin | Texas |
| West | 2 | University of Colorado | CU Events Center (Coors Events Center) | Boulder | Colorado |
| West | 2 | Stephen F. Austin University | William R. Johnson Coliseum | Nacogdoches | Texas |

## Regionals and Final Four

The regionals, named for the general location, were held from March 23 to March 25 at these sites:
* East Regional E.A. Diddle Arena, Bowling Green, Kentucky (Host: Western Kentucky University)
* Mideast Regional Memorial Coliseum (Beard–Eaves–Memorial Coliseum), Auburn, Alabama (Host: Auburn University)
* Midwest Regional Thomas Assembly Center, Ruston, Louisiana (Host: Louisiana Tech University)
* West Regional Frank Erwin Center, Austin, Texas (Host: University of Texas)
Each regional winner advanced to the Final Four, held March 31 and April 2 in Tacoma, Washington at the Tacoma Dome, hosted by the University of Washington.

## Bids by state

The forty-eight teams came from thirty-one states. Pennsylvania and Tennessee had the most teams with four each. Nineteen states did not have any teams receiving bids.
| Bids | State | Teams |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | La Salle, St. Joseph's, Temple, Villanova |
| 4 | Tennessee | Chattanooga, Tennessee, Tennessee Tech, Vanderbilt |
| 3 | California | Long Beach St., Stanford, Cal St. Fullerton |
| 3 | Louisiana | Louisiana Tech, LSU, Northwestern St. |
| 3 | Ohio | Bowling Green, Ohio St., Cincinnati |
| 3 | Virginia | James Madison, Old Dominion, Virginia |
| 2 | Mississippi | Mississippi, Southern Miss. |
| 2 | South Carolina | South Carolina, Clemson |
| 2 | Texas | Texas, Stephen F. Austin |
| 1 | Alabama | Auburn |
| 1 | Arkansas | Arkansas |
| 1 | Colorado | Colorado |
| 1 | Connecticut | Connecticut |
| 1 | Florida | Miami FL |
| 1 | Georgia | Georgia |
| 1 | Hawaii | Hawaii |
| 1 | Illinois | Illinois St.. |
| 1 | Indiana | Purdue |
| 1 | Iowa | Iowa |
| 1 | Kentucky | Western Ky. |
| 1 | Maryland | Maryland |
| 1 | Massachusetts | Holy Cross |
| 1 | Montana | Montana |
| 1 | Nevada | UNLV |
| 1 | New Jersey | Rutgers |
| 1 | North Carolina | North Carolina St. |
| 1 | Oklahoma | Oklahoma St. |
| 1 | Rhode Island | Providence |
| 1 | Utah | Utah |
| 1 | Washington | Washington |
| 1 | West Virginia | West Virginia |

## Brackets

First and second-round games played at higher seed except where noted.

### Mideast regional – Auburn, AL (Beard–Eaves–Memorial Coliseum)

| First round March 15 | First round March 15 | First round March 15 | Second round March 18–19 | Second round March 18–19 | Second round March 18–19 | Regional semifinals March 23 | Regional semifinals March 23 | Regional semifinals March 23 | Regional finals March 25 | Regional finals March 25 | Regional finals March 25 |
| | | | 1 | Auburn | 88 | | | | | | |
| | | | 8 | Temple | 54 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Temple | 90 | 8 | Temple | 54 | | | | | | |
| 9 | Holy Cross | 80 | | | | | | | | | |
| 9 | Holy Cross | 80 | | | | 1 | Auburn | 71 | | | |
| | | | | | | 4 | Clemson | 60 | | | |
| | | | 4 | Clemson | 78 | | | | | | |
| | | | 5 | Georgia | 65 | | | | | | |
| 5 | Georgia | 90 | 5 | Georgia | 65 | | | | | | |
| 12 | Chattanooga | 69 | | | | | | | | | |
| 12 | Chattanooga | 69 | | | | | | | 1 | Auburn | 77 |
| | | | | | | | | | 3 | Mississippi | 51 |
| | | | 2 | North Carolina St. | 75 | | | | | | |
| | | | 7 | Rutgers | 73 | | | | | | |
| 7 | Rutgers | 95 | 7 | Rutgers | 73 | | | | | | |
| 10 | Southern Miss | 73 | | | | | | | | | |
| 10 | Southern Miss | 73 | | | | 2 | North Carolina St. | 63 | | | |
| | | | | | | 3 | Mississippi | 68 | | | |
| | | | 3 | Mississippi | 74 | | | | | | |
| | | | 6 | Old Dominion | 58 | | | | | | |
| 6 | Old Dominion | 66 | 6 | Old Dominion | 58 | | | | | | |
| 11 | Villanova | 41 | | | | | | | | | |

### Midwest regional – Ruston, LA (Thomas Assembly Center)

| First round March 15 | First round March 15 | First round March 15 | Second round March 18–19 | Second round March 18–19 | Second round March 18–19 | Regional semifinals March 23 | Regional semifinals March 23 | Regional semifinals March 23 | Regional finals March 25 | Regional finals March 25 | Regional finals March 25 |
| | | | 1 | Louisiana Tech | 103 | | | | | | |
| | | | 9 | Oklahoma St. | 78 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Miami (FL) | 69 | 9 | Oklahoma St. | 78 | | | | | | |
| 9 | at Oklahoma St. | 93 | | | | | | | | | |
| 9 | at Oklahoma St. | 93 | | | | 1 | Louisiana Tech | 85 | | | |
| | | | | | | 4 | LSU | 68 | | | |
| | | | 4 | LSU | 54 | | | | | | |
| | | | 5 | at Purdue | 53 | | | | | | |
| 5 | Purdue | 91 | 5 | at Purdue | 53 | | | | | | |
| 12 | Arkansas | 63 | | | | | | | | | |
| 12 | Arkansas | 63 | | | | | | | 1 | Louisiana Tech | 85 |
| | | | | | | | | | 2 | Stanford | 75 |
| | | | 2 | Stanford | 105 | | | | | | |
| | | | 7 | Illinois St. | 77 | | | | | | |
| 7 | Illinois St. | 100 | 7 | Illinois St. | 77 | | | | | | |
| 10 | Northwestern St. | 79 | | | | | | | | | |
| 10 | Northwestern St. | 79 | | | | 2 | Stanford | 98 | | | |
| | | | | | | 3 | Iowa | 74 | | | |
| | | | 3 | Iowa | 77 | | | | | | |
| | | | 11 | Tennessee Tech | 75 | | | | | | |
| 6 | South Carolina | 73 | 11 | Tennessee Tech | 75 | | | | | | |
| 11 | Tennessee Tech | 77 | | | | | | | | | |

### East regional – Bowling Green, KY (E.A. Diddle Arena)

| First round March 15 | First round March 15 | First round March 15 | Second round March 18–19 | Second round March 18–19 | Second round March 18–19 | Regional semifinals March 23 | Regional semifinals March 23 | Regional semifinals March 23 | Regional finals March 25 | Regional finals March 25 | Regional finals March 25 |
| | | | 1 | Tennessee | 91 | | | | | | |
| | | | 9 | La Salle | 61 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Connecticut | 63 | 9 | La Salle | 61 | | | | | | |
| 9 | La Salle | 72 | | | | | | | | | |
| 9 | La Salle | 72 | | | | 1 | Tennessee | 80 | | | |
| | | | | | | 4 | Virginia | 47 | | | |
| | | | 4 | Virginia | 81 | | | | | | |
| | | | 12 | West Virginia | 68 | | | | | | |
| 5 | Western Kentucky | 57 | 12 | West Virginia | 68 | | | | | | |
| 12 | West Virginia | 66 | | | | | | | | | |
| 12 | West Virginia | 66 | | | | | | | 1 | Tennessee | 94 |
| | | | | | | | | | 2 | Long Beach St. | 80 |
| | | | 2 | Long Beach St. | 84 | | | | | | |
| | | | 10 | St. Joseph's | 65 | | | | | | |
| 7 | Vanderbilt | 68 | 10 | St. Joseph's | 65 | | | | | | |
| 10 | at St. Joseph's | 82 | | | | | | | | | |
| 10 | at St. Joseph's | 82 | | | | 2 | Long Beach St. | 89 | | | |
| | | | | | | 3 | Ohio St. | 83 | | | |
| | | | 3 | Ohio St. | 81 | | | | | | |
| | | | 6 | James Madison | 66 | | | | | | |
| 6 | James Madison | 94 | 6 | James Madison | 66 | | | | | | |
| 11 | Providence | 74 | | | | | | | | | |

### West regional – Austin, Texas (Frank Erwin Center)

| First round March 15 | First round March 15 | First round March 15 | Second round March 18–19 | Second round March 18–19 | Second round March 18–19 | Regional semifinals March 23 | Regional semifinals March 23 | Regional semifinals March 23 | Regional finals March 25 | Regional finals March 25 | Regional finals March 25 |
| | | | 1 | Maryland | 78 | | | | | | |
| | | | 9 | Bowling Green | 65 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Cincinnati | 59 | 9 | Bowling Green | 65 | | | | | | |
| 9 | at Bowling Green | 69 | | | | | | | | | |
| 9 | at Bowling Green | 69 | | | | 1 | Maryland | 89 | | | |
| | | | | | | 4 | Stephen F. Austin | 54 | | | |
| | | | 4 | Stephen F. Austin | 73 | | | | | | |
| | | | 5 | Washington | 63 | | | | | | |
| 5 | Washington | 87 | 5 | Washington | 63 | | | | | | |
| 12 | Hawaii | 79 | | | | | | | | | |
| 12 | Hawaii | 79 | | | | | | | 1 | Maryland | 79 |
| | | | | | | | | | 2 | Texas | 71 |
| | | | 2 | Texas | 83 | | | | | | |
| | | | 10 | Montana | 54 | | | | | | |
| 7 | Cal St. Fullerton | 67 | 10 | Montana | 54 | | | | | | |
| 10 | at Montana | 82 | | | | | | | | | |
| 10 | at Montana | 82 | | | | 2 | Texas | 88 | | | |
| | | | | | | 6 | UNLV | 77 | | | |
| | | | 3 | Colorado | 74 | | | | | | |
| | | | 6 | UNLV | 84 | | | | | | |
| 6 | UNLV | 67 | 6 | UNLV | 84 | | | | | | |
| 11 | Utah | 53 | | | | | | | | | |

### Final Four – Tacoma, WA (Tacoma Dome)

| National semifinals March 31 | National semifinals March 31 | National semifinals March 31 | National championship April 2 | National championship April 2 | National championship April 2 |
| 1ME | Auburn | 76 | | | |
| 1MW | Louisiana Tech | 71 | | | |
| 1MW | Louisiana Tech | 71 | 1ME | Auburn | 60 |
| | | | 1E | Tennessee | 76 |
| 1E | Tennessee | 77 | 1E | Tennessee | 76 |
| 1W | Maryland | 65 | | | |

## Record by conference

Nineteen conferences had more than one bid, or at least one win in NCAA Tournament play:
| Conference | # of Bids | Record | Win % | Round of 32 | Sweet Sixteen | Elite Eight | Final Four | Championship Game |
| Southeastern | 6 | 13–5 | .722 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Atlantic Coast | 4 | 6–4 | .600 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | – |
| Atlantic 10 | 4 | 4–4 | .500 | 4 | – | – | – | – |
| Big West | 4 | 4–4 | .500 | 2 | 2 | 1 | – | – |
| Big Ten | 3 | 3–3 | .500 | 3 | 2 | – | – | – |
| Big East | 3 | 0–3 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Metro | 3 | 0–3 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Pacific-10 | 2 | 3–2 | .600 | 2 | 1 | 1 | – | – |
| Southwest | 2 | 2–2 | .500 | 1 | 1 | 1 | – | – |
| Big Eight | 2 | 1–2 | .333 | 2 | – | – | – | – |
| Metro Atlantic | 2 | 1–2 | .333 | 1 | – | – | – | – |
| Southland | 2 | 1–2 | .333 | 1 | 1 | – | – | – |
| Sun Belt | 2 | 1–2 | .333 | 1 | – | – | – | – |
| American South | 1 | 3–1 | .750 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | – |
| Big Sky | 1 | 1–1 | .500 | 1 | – | – | – | – |
| Colonial | 1 | 1–1 | .500 | 1 | – | – | – | – |
| Mid-American | 1 | 1–1 | .500 | 1 | – | – | – | – |
| Missouri Valley | 1 | 1–1 | .500 | 1 | – | – | – | – |
| Ohio Valley | 1 | 1–1 | .500 | 1 | – | – | – | – |
Two conferences went 0-1: High Country, and Southern Conference

## All-Tournament team

* Bridgette Gordon, Tennessee
* Sheila Frost, Tennessee
* Vickie Orr, Auburn
* Venus Lacy, Louisiana Tech
* Deanna Tate, Maryland

## Game officials

* Sally Bell (semifinal)
* John Morningstar(semifinal)
* Larry Sheppard (semifinal)
* Bill Stokes (semifinal)
* June Corteau (final)
* Patty Broderick (final)