The Madness is here. Friday is the first full day of NCAA women’s tournament action and there are plenty of stars and worthwhile matchups to keep an eye on.
No. 1 overall seed South Carolina will be without star center Kamilla Cardoso as it looks to stay perfect on the season. LSU’s title defense begins as Angel Reese and Co. host No. 14 Rice. Also in action: No. 1 Texas, No. 2 Stanford, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Oregon State.
Here’s the full Friday schedule as the NCAA tournament begins.
Friday afternoon
11:30 a.m. — No. 8 North Carolina vs. No. 9 Michigan State (ESPN2)
Louisville has less than 10 minutes to avoid an upset to Middle Tennessee. The Cardinals need center Olivia Cochran back on the floor, though she won’t be able to play as free with four fouls. They roll with a balanced attack, but it runs through Cochran.
Middle Tennessee is ending the third with a 51-50 lead thanks to Savannah Wheeler, who had 14 of the team’s 16 points in the quarter.
It’s a TIED GAME game in Baton Rouge between MTSU and Louisville!! Multiple Cardinal players are in foul trouble. Can MTSU pull off a stunning comeback upset??
HALFTIME: South Carolina 48, Presbyterian 25
Fullwiley leads the team Gamecocks with 12 points. She’s already having a career game.
MTSU is getting back in the game. Savannah Wheeler cut Louisville’s lead to single digits with a 3-pointer.
As expected, South Carolina is off to a strong start in Columbia.
No. 10 Richmond vs. No. 7 Duke is underway! Duke’s first points came from a Reigan Richardson jumper.
South Carolina freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley is here and heating up! She already has two 3-pointers on the board.
Louisville holds on to lead in 1st half vs. MTSU
Assuming they beat Rice, LSU will have to meet the winner of Louisville vs. MTSU’s Round of 64 matchup. LSU head coach Kim Mulkey watched intently as Louisville dominated the first quarter in Baton Rouge. Middle Tennessee went on a 7-0 run in the second quarter to cut their deficit to 38-27 headed into halftime.
It’s game time! Sania Feagin scores the first points for the Gamecocks against Presbyterian with a quick jumper.
No. 1 seed South Carolina in action
The No. 1 overall seed and undefeated South Carolina is underway in the tournament. The Gamecocks’ quest for a championship starts here with No. 16 Presbyterian.
Final: Ohio State 80, Maine 57
Four Ohio State players score in double figures, with Jacy Sheldon’ 19 leading the way as the Buckeyes roll to the second round.
North Carolina advances in Albany 1
First game is in the books. North Carolina went up early on Michigan State with a 16-point lead, but allowed the Spartans back into it. UNC secured two massive offensive boards in the final five seconds to advance, 59-56. It was a strong close-out, but this has been a problem for the Tar Heels all season. They give up leads and, at least in the past, haven’t been able to close out.
Alyssa Ustby packed the stat line again as the key contributor for North Carolina. She had 16 points, 17 rebounds, six assists and three blocks. Maria Gakdeng, a transfer center UNC brought in to stabilize the paint, had a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double.
It sets up one half of a fun potential regular-season rematch: North Carolina vs. South Carolina. The Gamecocks tip off against No. 16 Presbyterian within the hour.
North Carolina’s Alyssa Ustby and Maria Gakdeng combine for 33 points and 27 rebounds as the Tar Heels hold off Michigan State’s late charge for a 59-56 win in the first game of day.
Daniel Miller is a sports fanatic who lives and breathes athletics. His coverage spans from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis for sports enthusiasts.
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