1981 AIAW National Division I Basketball Championship
Tournament information
DatesMarch 18, 1981–March 29, 1981
AdministratorAssociation for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women
Host(s)University of Oregon
Venue(s)Eugene, Oregon
Participants24
Final positions
ChampionsLouisiana Tech
Runner-upTennessee
Tournament statistics
Matches played23

The 1981 AIAW National Division I Basketball Championship was held on March 18–29, 1981. Twenty-four teams were invited, with eight teams receiving first round byes. First round games were played at on-campus locations. Louisiana Tech University was crowned national champion at the conclusion of the tournament.[1][2][3][4] Louisiana Tech finished undefeated (34–0), becoming the third undefeated national champion.[5]

The host site for the Final Four was Eugene, Oregon, and the championship game was again broadcast live on NBC.

This was the first year that the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics sponsored a competing women's basketball championship for its collegiate members and the last year before the NCAA began sponsoring tournaments for its three divisions and their members.

Opening rounds

Central Regional

First Round
March 18/19, 1981 		Second Round
March 21, 1981 		Quarterfinals
March 24, 1981
Jackson State 68
Minnesota 65 Jackson State 50
Louisiana Tech 97
Louisiana Tech 87
UCLA 54
Kansas 71
UCLA 72 UCLA 73
Oregon State 65

West Regional

First Round
March 18/19, 1981 		Second Round
March 21, 1981 		Quarterfinals
March 24, 1981
Oregon 75
Colorado 74 Oregon 64
Southern California 67
Southern California 67
Cheyney State 58
Cheyney State 88
North Carolina State 95 North Carolina State 72
Georgia State 86

South Regional

First Round
March 18/19, 1981 		Second Round
March 21, 1981 		Quarterfinals
March 24, 1981
Illinois State 66
Texas 63 Illinois State 63
Tennessee 78
Tennessee 79
Maryland 67
Maryland 83
Kentucky 81 Kentucky 82
Syracuse 80

East Regional

First Round
March 18/19, 1981 		Second Round
March 21, 1981 		Quarterfinals
March 24, 1981
Stephen F. Austin 88
Northwestern 67 Stephen F. Austin 54
Old Dominion 60
Old Dominion 76
Long Beach State 60
Long Beach State 77
Rutgers 99 Rutgers 73
Clemson 76

Final Four – Eugene, OR

 
Semifinals
March 27, 1981		Final
March 29, 1981
 
      
 
 
 
 
Louisiana Tech66
 
 
 
Southern California50
 
Louisiana Tech79
 
 
 
Tennessee59
 
Tennessee68
 
 
Old Dominion65
 
Third place
 
 
 
 
 
Southern California65
 
 
Old Dominion68

See also

References

  1. ^ Gregory Cooper. "Women's College Basketball Championship History Page". Archived from the original on October 26, 2009. Retrieved June 3, 2009.
  2. ^ "Tennessee Lady Vol Scores". Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2009.
  3. ^ "Louisiana Tech Media Guide". Archived from the original (pdf) on July 13, 2011. Retrieved July 13, 2009.
  4. ^ "Oregon Media Guide". Archived from the original (pdf) on July 16, 2009. Retrieved July 13, 2009.
  5. ^ "CNNSI Recap of 1981 Tournament". Retrieved July 28, 2009.
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