Mar 29, 2025, 12:29 AM ET
Part of the Elite 8 is ready. No. 1 seeds UCLA and South Carolina complicated with wins Friday, in addition to No. 2 seed Duke.
However third-seeded LSU Tigers upended No. 2 seed NC State within the Spokane 1 Regional to sign up for the birthday party.
Which groups will sign up for the Bruins, Gamecocks, Blue Devils and Tigers?
The regional semifinals resume Saturday (1 p.m. ET, ABC) when Notre Dame and TCU conflict in a rematch from a November nonconference sport.
We are monitoring each sport because the march to the Ultimate 4 continues. This is your information — whole with research from on-site journalists in Birmingham, Alabama, and Spokane, Washington — to Friday’s video games.
Bounce to: Relive the motion | Complete effects, research
Ultimate: LSU 80, NC State 73
How LSU gained: In a sport with large momentum swings, LSU threw the overall punch. After the Tigers fell in the back of by means of 5 issues with 4:29 left to play, Mikaylah Williams and Sa’Myah Smith took over, scoring LSU’s ultimate 16 issues to offer LSU the lead for excellent. Williams had a sluggish get started from the ground (4-for-15) however ended the sport by means of making 4 of her ultimate 5 makes an attempt. She additionally was once LSU’s number one facilitator, completing with six assists. She scored or assisted on 30 issues. Smith, who has been getting better from a November 2023 knee harm, has been in nice shape this March, recording her moment instantly sport with no less than 20 issues and 10 rebounds — and offering the Tigers’ frontcourt an enormous spice up as LSU seeks to go back to the Ultimate 4.
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However LSU shouldn’t have been in place to win with no stellar time out from Aneesah Morrow, who changed into the primary participant with no less than 30 issues and 15 rebounds in a Candy 16 sport or later since Stanford’s Nneka Ogwumike within the 2010 Ultimate 4. Over half of her issues got here from second-chance box targets (16), and he or she just about had as many offensive rebounds (9) as NC State (10).
Despite the fact that the Wolfpack guards had their moments, the Tigers held stars Aziaha James and Saniya Rivers to a blended 6-for-21 from the sphere. Zoe Brooks and Zamareya Jones did all they might to take care of, however NC State fell flat down the stretch, failing to attain within the ultimate two mins.
LSU’s keys to the Elite 8: With Morrow creating a distinction early, and Williams and Smith serving as closers overdue, LSU withstood a quiet efficiency from Flau’Jae Johnson (1-for-8 from the sphere, 3 issues), who took a difficult fall towards the top of the sport. LSU is 16-0 this season when Johnson (who was once averaging 18.8 PPG entering the Candy 16) rankings no less than 20 issues. She is 29-1 over her occupation when she hits that mark, the third-best document by means of an SEC participant over the last 25 seasons.
Nonetheless, the Tigers are headed to their eleventh Elite 8 look and 1/3 instantly below Kim Mulkey. Avid gamers come and move — Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith from remaining yr’s star-studded squad have moved on. However extra frequently than no longer, Mulkey reveals some way. — Alexa Philippou
MORE: What is subsequent for NC State: Who is coming again? Portal priorities?
Ultimate: UCLA 76, Ole Leave out 62
How UCLA gained: Two phrases: Lauren Betts. Ole Leave out was once no fit for the junior heart and he or she supplied probably the most extra dominant performances this March, changing 15 of 16 shot makes an attempt for 31 issues. And it wasn’t simply her play at the offensive finish that led to the Rebels issues. Betts restricted them to 2-of-16 capturing on pictures she contested. Till early within the fourth quarter, Betts single-handedly had extra issues within the paint than Ole Leave out. Betts is the 1/3 participant up to now 25 seasons with more than one 30-point, 10-rebound video games in one NCAA event, and the primary since Brittney Griner in 2013.
For as sensational as Betts was once, the Bruins wanted their guards to step up and take one of the crucial force off their heart to attain. Londynn Jones and Kiki Rice did simply that, combining for 20 issues in the second one half of after simply two within the first. The ones two began the second one half of with an 8-0 run that gave UCLA momentum. Nonetheless, Betts’ presence fuels UCLA. The workforce was once plus-23 along with her at the courtroom (minus-7 along with her off) and shot 35 share issues higher along with her at the ground than off of it.
UCLA’s keys to the Elite 8: How becoming it’s that we can get a rematch from remaining yr’s Candy 16 — with each groups hungry for a place within the Ultimate 4 after falling brief. Remaining March, the Bruins misplaced to the Tigers, with Betts getting handiest 9 shot makes an attempt. Can UCLA get her going higher this time? And that would possibly no longer at all times imply scoring: If Betts can facilitate for her teammates and they are able to hit their open appears to be like, UCLA may have a excellent shot of enjoying in Tampa. However the Bruins can even must get it completed at the defensive finish. Specifically, by means of making existence tough for LSU’s large 3, and at the glass, the place the Tigers were recognized to ceremonial dinner. — Alexa Philippou
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Lauren Betts’ tough end extends UCLA’s double-digit lead
Lauren Betts finishes robust to increase UCLA’s double-digit lead over Ole Leave out.
Ultimate: South Carolina 71, Maryland 67
How South Carolina gained: When South Carolina wanted a playmaker, MiLaysia Fulwiley stepped up. She hit an enormous bucket to chop Maryland’s lead and adopted with an help to offer South Carolina a 46-45 benefit overdue within the 1/3 quarter. She additionally hit a one-legged fadeaway to near the quarter. When South Carolina wanted a bucket, Fulwiley delivered. Her 23 issues are an NCAA event occupation prime. She had assist, however South Carolina pulled out this win as a result of big-time gamers make big-time performs in big-time video games.
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South Carolina’s keys to the Elite 8: South Carolina might be in a equivalent battle towards Duke on Sunday: a gritty, low-scoring, slug fest — that is how Duke will attempt to play it. The 2 groups confronted off within the SEC/ACC problem in December, with South Carolina successful 81-70. South Carolina had 17 turnovers towards Maryland. The Blue Devils will attempt to put South Carolina in equivalent positions and squeeze the existence out of the Gamecocks’ offense. South Carolina shot handiest 38.5% from the sphere and 26.7% from past the arc Friday. If the Gamecocks’ offense struggles like that towards Duke, the Blue Devils may have an opportunity. If the Gamecocks take care of Duke’s force, they are going to be headed to Tampa, Florida, and again to the Ultimate 4. — Katie Barnes
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South Carolina’s overdue push is helping keep away from Maryland’s dissatisfied bid
MiLaysia Fulwiley leads all scorers with 23 issues in South Carolina’s slender win over Maryland.
Ultimate: Duke 47, North Carolina 38
How Duke gained: The Tar Heels struggled to attain towards the tenacious Blue Devils’ protection, capturing 28.3% from the sphere. UNC’s 20 first-half issues have been tied for the second one fewest in a primary half of in an NCAA event sport in program historical past. The 85 blended issues are the bottom within the Candy 16 spherical or later in NCAA event historical past. Offensively, Duke emerged with the nine-point victory thru a balanced assault. Sophomore guard Oluchi Okananwa had 12 issues and 12 rebounds off the bench. Ashlon Jackson was once additionally in double figures with 10 issues.
Duke’s keys to the Elite 8: Duke will play South Carolina. The Blue Devils’ talent to keep watch over the sport defensively will dictate whether or not they make this system’s first Ultimate 4 since 2006. However capturing 31% from the sphere and 20.8% from past the arc is not going to get the activity completed, regardless of Duke’s defensive efficiency. Along with their conventional defensive output, the Blue Devils want to make some pictures and feature a standout offensive efficiency. — Katie Barnes
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Oluchi Okananwa beats the shot clock with 3 for Duke
Oluchi Okananwa’s pull-up 3 beats the shot clock for Duke vs. North Carolina.
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