Mar 24, 2025, 12:33 AM ET
40 video games are within the books. Day 3 of the ladies’s NCAA event arrange part of the Candy 16. And No. 5 seeds dominated the day. Tennessee, Ole Leave out and Kansas State all received true highway video games and knocked off 4-seeds to succeed in the regional semifinals.
No. 1 seeds South Carolina and UCLA additionally complex. And No. 2 seed TCU reached the regional semifinals for the primary time in program historical past.
We captured all of Sunday’s motion, with newshounds on web page and research of each and every matchup. To find out what is subsequent for the winners or relive all of the highlights. And are available again Monday once we do all of it once more.
Bounce to: Relive the motion | Complete effects and research
Sunday’s complete effects and research
Ultimate: Kansas State 80, Kentucky 79 (OT)
How did Kansas State pull it out? It seemed like the 5-seed had blown an opportunity on the Candy 16 when Kentucky took a 5-0 run overdue within the sport. However back-to-back 3-pointers gave Kansas State the lead and arrange an exciting end. Down the stretch, perimeter taking pictures enabled Kansas State not to handiest stay tempo with Kentucky however in the end advance to the varsity’s first Candy 16 since 2002. Temira Poindexter began the sport by means of lacking her first 5 deep photographs however greater than made amends. She completed with a game-high 24 issues. All of her makes have been 3-pointers. And a possible game-winning Georgia Amoore floater bounced off the back and front of the rim to permit Kansas State to live to tell the tale an absolute mystery.
What this implies for Kansas State: Kansas State’s avid gamers stepped up in lots of spots over the process the sport. There are nonetheless questions on how nicely the Wildcats will fit up towards the following opponent, which might be 1-seed USC. However this is every other downside for every other day. — Ben Child
MORE: Kansas State advances to first Candy 16 in 23 years
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Temira Poindexter’s additional time 3 buries Kentucky
Temira Poindexter hits a three-pointer overdue in OT as No. 5 Kansas State advances to the Candy 16 over No. 4 Kentucky.
Ultimate: Tennessee 82, Ohio State 67
How did Tennessee give March Insanity every other 5-seed transferring on? Sunday used to be the day for No. 5 seeds within the ladies’s NCAA event, as 3 of them received highway video games to advance to the Candy 16. It began with Kansas State at Kentucky, then Ole Leave out at Baylor, then Tennessee at Ohio State. The tip of the steady season did not cross because the Girl Vols was hoping: They misplaced at Kentucky after which to Georgia at house. Then they fell to in-state rival Vanderbilt in the second one around of the SEC event. However we now have noticed the most productive of Tennessee within the NCAA event. Whilst fellow SEC groups began to get a maintain on Tennessee’s high-pressure taste of play beneath first-year trainer Kim Caldwell, the Girl Vols’ NCAA fighters have no longer. South Florida had 24 turnovers within the first around and Ohio State 23. The Buckeyes are recognized for urgent, too, however Tennessee did it higher Sunday. Tennessee scored 37 issues off Ohio State turnovers. And even if the Buckeyes rallied with a 20-2 run to take a lead within the 3rd quarter, the Girl Vols responded with a 10-2 run.
Within the fourth quarter, the Girl Vols clamped down defensively, keeping Ohio State to 8 issues. It is the second one 12 months in a row the Buckeyes had been eradicated at house in the second one around. Sunday’s sport used to be the one time this season that Ohio State misplaced at house, the place the Buckeyes (26-7 total) completed 16-1. Freshman Jaloni Cambridge led them with 19 issues.
What it method for Tennessee: The Girl Vols did not shoot a excessive share from in the back of the arc (29.4%), however they made 10 3-pointers. In addition they edged Ohio State in rebounding 39-34. If seeds dangle, they are going to face No. 1 seed Texas — which hosts Illinois on Monday — for a place within the Elite 8. The Girl Vols final made a regional ultimate in 2016. — Michael Voepel
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Spotlight: No. 5 Tennessee dominates No. 12 South Florida in first around
Talaysia Cooper leads with 20 issues because the Volunteers publish 16 3-pointers all in combination to safe a 101-66 victory towards the Bulls.
Ultimate: Ole Leave out 69, Baylor 63
What made the adaptation for Ole Leave out? The second one 4-5 matchup of this NCAA event used to be about as thrilling as the primary on Sunday. Proper after 5-seed Kansas State beat 4-seed Kentucky in additional time in Spokane 4, Ole Leave out pulled a identical dissatisfied on Baylor’s house courtroom in Spokane 1. The Rebels have been one of the vital groups within the operating for a top-16 seed and the risk to host however fell simply quick within the committee’s eyes. That used to be a rallying level for Ole Leave out trainer Yolette McPhee-McCuin and her staff, which completed tied for 6th with Alabama within the SEC. McPhee-McCuin and the Rebels additionally made the Candy 16 in 2023, when as a No. 8 seed they dissatisfied No. 1 Stanford on its house courtroom in the second one around. Sunday used to be the fourth time in program historical past that Ole Leave out has received a real highway sport within the NCAA event.
The Rebels struggled in the second one quarter, scoring simply six issues. However their protection used to be just right sufficient that they trailed handiest 29-26 at halftime. Neither staff were given issues going from in the back of the arc all sport; Ole Leave out and Baylor have been a blended 4-of-25 there. On the other hand, the Rebels were given to the unfastened throw line much more, completing 17-of-21 on foul photographs to Baylor’s 7-of-11. Ole Leave out pressured 21 turnovers and in addition shot higher in the second one part. The Rebels have been 5-of-14 on open seems to be within the first part, and 9-of-14 on the ones seems to be in the second one part.
What it method for Ole Leave out: The Rebels were given giant video games from each their maximum skilled avid gamers — fifth-year seniors Madison Scott (14 issues) and KK Deans (13 issues) — and freshman Sira Thienou (16 issues, 6 rebounds). Ole Leave out fell to Louisville in its most up-to-date Candy 16 look in 2023 and now awaits the winner of Monday’s Florida State-LSU second-round sport. Of their SEC regular-season finale, the Rebels beat LSU 85-77 on March 2, despite the fact that Tigers megastar guard Flau’Jae Johnson used to be out injured and did not play in that sport. — Michael Voepel
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Spotlight: Ole Leave out takes down Baylor for Candy 16 berth
Sira Thienou places up 16 issues along side six rebounds because the Rebels grind out a difficult win towards the Bears to punch their price ticket to the Candy 16.
Ultimate: TCU 85, Louisville 70
How did TCU win to advance to its first Candy 16? The quick solution is: in combination. 4 starters completed the sport in double figures, with Agnes Emma-Nnopu main the Horned Frogs with 23. It used to be a cathartic efficiency for a squad that held open tryouts final season as it had such a lot of accidents. Giant 12 Participant and Newcomer of the Yr Hailey Van Lith contributed 16 issues and 10 assists to defeat her former staff (she performed for the Cardinals for 3 seasons). Whilst TCU cooked at the offensive finish, taking pictures 63% from the ground and 61.1% from 3-point vary, the Frogs additionally closely disrupted Louisville, keeping the Cardinals to 33.8% taking pictures. The intense spot for Louisville used to be the improbable offensive efficiency from Jayda Curry, who dropped 41 issues and hit six 3-point photographs in a dropping effort.
What is subsequent for TCU: With the win over Louisville, TCU made its first Candy 16 in program historical past and completed the season undefeated at house. Within the Birmingham 3 Regional later this week, TCU will face 3-seed Notre Dame. The 2 groups in the past performed in a Thanksgiving event within the Cayman Islands. The Frogs were given the simpler of the Irish in that one, profitable 76-68, however do not be stunned if Notre Dame is thought of as the favourite within the rematch. — Katie Barnes
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TCU holds off Louisville to advance to 1st Candy 16
Jayda Curry finishes with 41 issues for Louisville, however it is sufficient as Hailey Van Lith and TCU succeed to succeed in the Candy 16.
Ultimate: UCLA 84, Richmond 67
How did UCLA pull clear of Richmond?: Lauren Betts set the tempo for the top-seeded Bruins within the first part by means of scoring 14 issues, however the Spiders have been ready to maintain due to their talent to transport the ball at will and hit over 50% in their photographs. The rating used to be tied on the part, after which all of sudden, it wasn’t. UCLA confirmed that what Richmond may do nicely, the Bruins may do even higher. They made 8 3-pointers on their method to a commanding win that driven them to the Candy 16. Betts, referred to as a “cheat code” by means of her teammates, used to be precisely that — she completed with 30 issues (her absolute best level overall since UCLA’s win at Maryland in January) and 10 rebounds, turning into the primary UCLA participant to perform the feat in an NCAA event sport.
What it method for UCLA: Richmond had the Bruins on excessive dissatisfied alert at halftime, however the best way they spoke back confirmed their spectacular intensity and sky-high possible all over again. From right here on out, no sport will come simple for UCLA, and the Bruins comprehend it. Final 12 months, they waltzed into the Candy 16 handiest to be crushed by means of LSU in a sport that trainer Cori Shut nonetheless rues. This 12 months, the expectancies for UCLA are even upper because the No. 1 total seed, however the Bruins seem to be in a position for the instant. Betts is enjoying a few of her perfect basketball, whilst her supporting solid seemed supremely assured in the second one part of Sunday evening’s sport. — Paolo Uggetti
Ultimate: South Carolina 64, Indiana 53
How did South Carolina triumph over a 26-25 halftime deficit? To position it merely, an enormous 3rd quarter. South Carolina scored 26 issues within the length — greater than it did in all the first part. Chloe Kitts keyed the run, however getting just right inner play from Sania Feagin used to be seize, too. This used to be no longer the most productive sport the Gamecocks have performed this season. They seemed disjointed now and then on offense for massive swaths of the sport. Believe this: The 3rd quarter used to be the one length wherein the Gamecocks scored greater than 17 issues. That ended up being the most important distinction within the sport. Outdoor that 3rd quarter, their defensive efficiency helped, too. South Carolina pressured 16 turnovers, outrebounded Indiana and had seven blocks and 7 steals. Kitts ended up with a double-double (10 issues, 10 rebounds).
What can South Carolina be told from Sunday headed into the Candy 16? South Carolina has no longer trusted only one participant to prepared the ground this season, however on its collective staff to get the process performed. If Sunday confirmed the rest, it used to be that the Gamecocks may live to tell the tale a down sport from their bench and particularly their two main scorers, freshman Joyce Edwards and MiLaysia Fulwiley. Edwards used to be uncharacteristically off her sport, with handiest 5 issues on 2-of-8 taking pictures with 5 turnovers. Fulwiley scored 3 issues on 1-of-4 taking pictures. With out the bench turning in issues by means of the bushel, others stepped up, together with Bree Corridor (3-of-4 from 3), Kitts and Feagin. — Andrea Adelson
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Spotlight: 1-seed South Carolina survives scare from 9-seed Indiana
The Gamecocks turn out too tough for the Hoosiers as Chloe Kitts shines with a double-double in a sport the place South Carolina used to be down on the part however completed sturdy for a 64-53 win.
Ultimate: Notre Dame 76, Michigan 55
How did Notre Dame dominate Michigan? Michigan did not lead at any level within the around of 32 as a result of Notre Dame got here on the Wolverines from all angles in but every other double-digit victory. Whether or not in transition, attacking the paint (36 issues), some well-timed photographs from deep or the contributions from its stars –Olivia Miles, Sonia Citron, Hannah Hidalgo and Liatu King scored or assisted on all however six of Notre Dame’s issues — the Combating Irish have been an excessive amount of for Michigan to maintain. This sport used to be by no means shut, however Notre Dame put its foot at the fuel within the 3rd quarter, when it restricted Michigan to 8 issues. Understandably gassed from a hard-fought struggle with Iowa State within the first around, the Wolverines did not get the similar contributions from Jordan Hobbs or Mila Holloway that they had to cross toe-to-toe with a staff that has outscored its fighters by means of 73 within the first two rounds.
What it method for Notre Dame: Nobody within the box has had an more uncomplicated time with its fighters throughout the outlet weekend of the event. Notre Dame made mild paintings of Stephen F. Austin (received by means of 54) and beat a drained Michigan staff by means of 21. The Combating Irish appear to be the model of themselves that used to be ranked No. 1 within the nation for lots of the season, and the effects from the primary two rounds are an indication that they may be able to contend for a countrywide championship. They will face both No. 7 seed Louisville (which they beat two times this season) or No. 2 seed TCU (which beat the Irish by means of 8 on Nov. 29 in a event within the Cayman Islands) within the Candy 16. — Courtney Cronin
Ultimate: Duke 59, Oregon 53
How did Duke steer clear of the dissatisfied? Duke did simply sufficient to squeak out this win. After construction a 10-point lead, the Blue Devils overlooked seven photographs in the course of the last mins of the 3rd quarter and the beginning of the fourth, opening the door for Oregon and Deja Kelly, who scored 9 issues within the 3rd (she completed with 20). Ashlon Jackson saved the Blue Devils in it together with her personal 14 issues within the 3rd, plus a large 3-pointer overdue within the fourth to position the Blue Devils up seven with beneath two mins last — prompting her teammates to hit Stephen Curry’s well-known “Evening Evening” birthday celebration. All of her 20 issues got here in the second one part. Regardless of a frantic end, nearly turning the ball over a number of occasions in the course of the ultimate 30 seconds of the sport, the Blue Devils survived … and complex.
What is subsequent for Duke? After escaping what would have tied this system’s greatest seed dissatisfied loss in its event historical past, Duke returns to the Candy 16 for the second one instantly 12 months. Up subsequent? The winner of No. 3 North Carolina-No. 6 West Virginia. The Tar Heels provide a well-recognized foe for the Blue Devils, however the pair have by no means met within the NCAA event. This season, UNC earned an OT win within the groups’ first matchup again in January, and the Blue Devils took the Feb. 27 matchup handily. — Kendra Andrews
MORE: With Fournier sidelined, Duke reaches moment consecutive Candy 16
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