What chalk? After greater seeds went 31-1 within the first spherical of the ladies’s NCAA match, No. 7 seed Duke and 5-seeds Colorado and Baylor erased the chalk and gained on their opponents’ house courtroom.
The Blue Devils had the largest upset of the day, rallying from 16 all the way down to beat No. 2 seed Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio.
The Buffaloes upended fourth-seeded Kansas State in Manhattan, Kansas. And the Bears knocked off 4-seed Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia.
Duke superior to its first Candy 16 since 2018, whereas Colorado is again for the second consecutive yr. Baylor final reached the regional semifinals in 2021 however is making its first Candy 16 look with coach Nicki Collen.
Seventh-seeded Iowa State virtually shocked No. 2 seed Stanford at Maples Pavilion. However the Cardinal bought a career-high 41 factors from Kiki Iraifen and gained in time beyond regulation immediately traditional to keep away from shedding within the second spherical for the second consecutive yr.
We break down all eight of Sunday’s second-round video games. The second half of the Candy 16 might be set with Monday’s spherical of 32, which suggestions at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Try the place each crew landed as we reseeded the 32 remaining groups within the discipline. And you’ll want to try all the pieces we realized Friday on Day 1 and our Day 2 takeaways from Saturday.
2:20
Kiki Iriafen’s 41 leads Stanford previous Iowa State in OT thriller
Stanford outlasts Iowa State in an time beyond regulation thriller to advance to the Candy 16 of the ladies’s NCAA match.
How did Stanford-Iowa State flip into an all-time traditional? A lot for the Cameron Brink-Audi Crooks Bowl. The 2 groups’ stars had quiet evenings and fouled out, however that did not imply the motion was missing at Stanford. The Cardinal’s Kiki Iriafen and Iowa State’s Emily Ryan delivered as they grew to become the second set of gamers to have dueling 35-point video games within the NCAA match since 2000. With these two spearheading the hassle, each groups’ back-and-forth shotmaking delivered a matchup with eight tied scores and 9 lead modifications within the fourth quarter and time beyond regulation alone. Stanford and Iowa State finally mixed for 36 factors within the additional time (21-15), probably the most whole factors in a single time beyond regulation interval in NCAA match historical past.
Iowa State punched first and led for almost 21 minutes, hitting 12 3-pointers (10 mixed from Ryan and freshman Addy Brown) to Stanford’s eight. Whereas Brink’s impression was minimized, Iriafen (41 factors, 16 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks) was unstoppable, her 40-piece this system’s first within the match since 2009. Eleven of her factors got here in time beyond regulation, however teammates Brooke Demetre, Nunu Agara, Hannah Leap and Talana Lepolo additionally made well timed performs down the stretch to place away the Cyclones for good.
Ryan and Brown led a formidable cost for the Cyclones at Maples Pavilion, with one other freshman in Jalynn Bristow additionally seeing necessary minutes. With Ryan’s profession night time (36 factors), Iowa State grew to become the one crew since a minimum of 2000 to have a unique participant rating 35 factors in consecutive video games within the NCAA match. The Cyclones had been 31 seconds away from upsetting 2-seed Stanford at house, had Demetre not made an enormous 3 and a few free throws down the stretch. One Achilles’ heel: Iowa State’s 19 turnovers led to 21 Stanford factors on the opposite finish.
What it means for Stanford: What a gritty win for the Cardinal to tug out with their future WNBA lottery decide on the bench (Brink fouled out with 2:11 left in regulation and performed simply 23 minutes). However the win shook no matter demons may exist for the Cardinal following final yr’s surprising second-round upset loss to Ole Miss at house. Coach Tara VanDerveer has her crew within the Candy 16 for the twenty ninth time, the third-most all time behind Tennessee and UConn, and recorded her one hundredth profession NCAA match victory.
Such stellar play for Iriafen, and a few good moments from its guards, ought to make Stanford assured shifting ahead in March. However the Cardinal might want to tighten issues up on the subject of their 3-point protection, and Brink should determine keep out of foul bother and on the ground.
What it means for Iowa State: Certain, the Cyclones fell wanting their second Candy 16 in three years. However producing that kind of efficiency in opposition to Stanford on the street with a freshmen-centric squad (they’ve 5 rookies, all of whom are significant components of the rotation) ought to solely give Iowa State followers immense pleasure about what this crew can do within the coming years — particularly with Ryan returning for her fifth season of collegiate eligibility. — Alexa Philippou
How did the Bears come away with a coveted win at Cassell Coliseum? Two phrases: Jada Walker. Virginia Tech merely had no reply for the junior guard within the second half, when she scored 26 of her career-high 28 factors — her first 20-point recreation of the season. Her three-point play out of a timeout with 19 seconds left did not determine the sport, nevertheless it put the Bears within the driver’s seat. And it may need appeared inconsequential on the time, however even her half-court buzzer-beater — her first made 3-pointer this month — to finish the third quarter made a distinction ultimately.
Whereas Virginia Tech’s Matilda Ekh (19 factors) and Clara Strack (18 factors) stepped up large — the latter a freshman tasked with attempting to fill in for three-time ACC participant of the yr Elizabeth Kitley — the Hokies wanted only a bit extra from All-American guard Georgia Amoore, who had a troublesome capturing night time (7-for-22 from the sector, 3-for-11 from 3). Amoore grew to become extra of a distributor within the second half, with 5 assists and eight factors.
Virginia Tech hit seven 3s within the second half, serving to make up for the Bears’ edge in attending to the free throw line (by the night time’s finish, Baylor went 16-for-25 from the charity stripe, whereas the Hokies transformed 9 of 12 makes an attempt). However in a contest that was in any other case extremely even, Baylor — sometimes recognized for its offensive steadiness — had the most well liked hand, and that is what despatched it via to Portland and snapped the Hokies’ 26-game house profitable streak, which was the fourth-longest lively one in Division I.
What it means for Baylor: Baylor makes its first Candy 16 in coach Nicki Collen’s tenure after two earlier second-round exits, a step in the precise course as this system appears to return to the kind of nationwide competition and relevance it noticed below Kim Mulkey. Given how shaky Massive 12 play was at instances for the Bears (the place they suffered all seven of their losses), a second weekend look within the NCAA match should really feel much more gratifying for Collen and her squad.
What it means for Virginia Tech: We’ll at all times surprise what might have been for the Hokies if Kitley hadn’t torn an ACL within the Hokies’ regular-season finale March 3. These photographs of her on the finish of the sport in the course of the broadcast, when she was clearly emotional about her crew’s loss and her school profession formally coming to an finish, had been robust to look at. However the legacy she left in Blacksburg — an ACC match title, a regular-season crown and, most impressively, a Closing 4 look — speaks for itself.
Amoore’s resolution on whether or not to go professional or keep in school for her fifth yr looms, however one silver lining of Kitley’s latest absence is that Strack confirmed she’s an awesome participant the Hokies can construct round shifting ahead. They will additionally return their third-best scorer this season in Ekh. — Alexa Philippou
1:20
Reigan Richardson fuels Duke comeback with 28 factors
Reigan Richardson and Duke claw again from a double-digit deficit to upset Ohio State within the spherical of 32.
Did Duke simply change the make-up of this NCAA match? After greater seeds went 31-1 over the primary two days, probably the most chalk the match has seen because it expanded to 64 groups in 1994, the very first recreation of the second spherical produced an enormous upset, as Duke shocked the Massive Ten regular-season champion Buckeyes in Columbus. After trailing by as many as 16 factors within the second quarter and going greater than 11 minutes with no discipline objective within the first half, the Blue Devils took full management. They scored 12 of the ultimate 14 factors of the second quarter after which utterly dominated the second half.
The Buckeyes’ capturing share plummeted to twenty-eight% after halftime, stopping them from utilizing their full-court press. With out it, and mounting foul bother, Ohio State did not have a Plan B. The Buckeyes, who had been additionally badly outrebounded, made only one 3-pointer, and it got here when the result was already determined. In the meantime, Duke made 61.9% of its photographs within the second half, taking part in maybe its greatest offensive recreation of the season.
What it means for Duke: The Blue Devils are a crew constructed on protection and offensive steadiness. On this NCAA match, they may have additionally discovered a famous person. Reigan Richardson just isn’t solely Duke’s greatest participant — she is among the greatest in your entire match. Towards Ohio State, she scored 28 factors on 11-for-18 capturing. That follows a 25-point outing on 10-of-18 capturing in opposition to Richmond within the first spherical, a recreation by which Duke additionally made a livid comeback after trailing by 9 on the half. Richardson — the primary Duke participant with back-to-back 25-point video games within the match since Alana Beard in 2003 — is a sophomore, and coach Kara Lawson performs 5 freshmen, making Duke one of many youngest groups within the NCAA match. They’re within the Candy 16 for the primary time since 2018.
What it means for Ohio State: Buckeyes coach Kevin McGuff predicted that rebounding could be the important thing to this recreation. He was proper. His crew misplaced the battle on the glass 38-20. After final yr’s Elite Eight journey, this can be a large disappointment for the Buckeyes. In three postseason video games, they made simply 28.5% of their 3-pointers. Cotie McMahon, whose season has been up and down, performed one among her greatest video games of the season with 27 factors, however she bought little assist. Jacy Sheldon was the one different Buckeye in double figures with 13. Now McGuff says goodbye to Sheldon, Celeste Taylor, Rebeka Mikulasikova and probably Rikki Harris, including to the frustration of bowing out of the NCAA match so early. — Charlie Creme
THE COMEBACK IS COMPLETE 🔥
The Blue Devils are going to their first Candy 16 since 2018 😈 pic.twitter.com/AqC23YUF1C
— ESPN (@espn) March 24, 2024
How does Duke’s upset impression the bracket? The Buckeyes’ loss disrupts the Portland 3 bracket by way of a possible Candy 16 matchup with UConn. Final yr, the Buckeyes beat the Huskies within the regional semifinals in Seattle, ending UConn’s Closing 4 streak that dated to 2008.
When the bracket got here out this season, folks instantly noticed that Ohio State and UConn might meet once more in the identical spherical. Would it not be the Huskies’ likelihood at revenge, or would the Buckeyes remove UConn two years in a row?
The Huskies nonetheless must get via their second-round recreation in opposition to Syracuse. But when they do, they will not be assembly Ohio State in Portland. — Michael Voepel
Massive Ten suffers one other (eerily related) loss: McGuff talked about rebounding being an issue within the Buckeyes’ Massive Ten match quarterfinal upset, and it damage them once more of their season-ending loss Sunday.
It is also weird how Ohio State’s season ended so equally to Indiana’s final yr. Just like the Hoosiers, the Buckeyes gained the Massive Ten regular-season title, misplaced their regular-season finale at Iowa, did not make the league match remaining, after which bought upset at house within the second spherical of the NCAA match.
In each circumstances, it was a surprising, heart-wrenching finish to an in any other case nice season. — Michael Voepel
Stunning, sure, however inconsistencies have plagued OSU: It appeared incomprehensible a month in the past that Ohio State, which had gained 15 consecutive video games to begin the 2024 calendar yr, would not make it out of the primary weekend of the NCAA match. At their greatest, the Buckeyes appeared like a crew that would enhance upon final yr’s Elite Eight run and make it to Cleveland, and the urgency was there given what number of seniors are on their roster.
Whereas Sunday’s loss was surprising in lots of respects, the Buckeyes have been susceptible to in-game inconsistencies for a number of years now, significantly on the offensive finish, as a result of they cannot arrange their trademark press if they cannot make photographs. However even with that in thoughts, being outscored by 22 within the remaining half-hour on Sunday, and letting a six-point lead slip away within the recreation’s remaining 17 minutes with no actual final push, was nonetheless stunning. Ohio State, which was up 4 on the break, had been 19-0 when main on the half coming into Sunday’s contest. — Alexa Philippou
2:08
South Carolina performs flawless basketball in rout of UNC
The Gamecocks are on to the Candy 16 after dominating North Carolina in an 88-41 win.
Is South Carolina invincible? The Gamecocks certain appeared unbeatable in Columbia. South Carolina jumped to a 20-point lead after the primary quarter and by no means appeared again. South Carolina appeared to capitalize on each mistake UNC made: a missed rebound, a turnover, a nasty shot choice. The Gamecocks performed like one of the best crew within the nation and nationwide championship favorites they’re, getting 32 factors and an ideal efficiency from past the arc (6-for-6) from the bench within the first half.
It was an unbelievable half of basketball. South Carolina shot 80% from 3 and held UNC to 17 factors. The 37-point halftime distinction was the biggest deficit for an ACC crew in NCAA match historical past. South Carolina completely appeared invincible.
What it means for South Carolina: This was a press release win from South Carolina. The Gamecocks gained 65-58 when these two groups met Nov. 30. Freshman star MiLaysia Fulwiley performed simply three minutes. It was a battle begin to end. It was additionally a battle that happened in Chapel Hill.
On Saturday, South Carolina guards Raven Johnson and Te-Hina Paopao talked concerning the should be the aggressor in Sunday’s matchup. Mission completed. This recreation was a totally totally different story. Fulwiley led all scorers with 20 factors, capturing 4-for-7 from 3, snagging 9 boards, and contributing three steals and three blocks. Daybreak Staley stated Fulwiley advised her she’d be a unique participant Sunday. If she performs like this all through the match — alongside the remainder of South Carolina’s gifted squad — it would spell doom for the sector. Oh, and Kamilla Cardoso and Bree Corridor are again. No massive deal.
What it means for North Carolina: The Tar Heels ran right into a buzz noticed Sunday. Given the results of the primary recreation between these two groups, UNC probably anticipated to be extra aggressive. Foul bother dogged North Carolina early, and the Tar Heels had been by no means within the recreation. Coach Courtney Banghart will look to rebuild subsequent season with the core of this crew eligible to maneuver on. — Katie Barnes
0:17
Madison Booker amped up after contested jumper
Madison Booker hits the lengthy leap shot over her opponent and is visibly excited after draining it.
Are muscle and Madison sufficient for Texas to win a championship? This wasn’t an inventive success for the Longhorns. They gained for 2 causes: 23 second-chance factors and Madison Booker’s midrange capturing acumen. Texas dominated the glass, particularly early within the recreation, and Booker made 9 of 16 photographs on her strategy to 21 factors. She took management along with her scoring after deferring to teammates with 14 assists within the Spherical 1 win over Drexel. The protection was additionally suffocating at instances and held Alabama to its third-lowest level whole of the season. Nothing got here simple for the Crimson Tide in opposition to Texas’ dimension and physicality.
What it means for Texas: Enhancements must be made if Texas is to win a nationwide championship. That is the third Candy 16 look in 4 years below Vic Schaefer, however the variety of missed photographs (the Longhorns missed 15 on the rim) and lack of 3-point capturing (solely 5 makes an attempt and one make) are areas Texas must shore up.
The Longhorns gave the impression to be dominating, and the result by no means felt doubtful, but it wasn’t till the ultimate minutes that they put Alabama away. Aaliyah Moore’s 21 factors — 13 of which got here within the second half — and 10 rebounds helped complement Moore’s efficiency, however no different Longhorn scored in double figures.
What it means for Alabama: Kristi Curry has introduced stability and success to the Crimson Tide, however the streak with no Candy 16 look now extends to 26 years. Choices await by various fourth-year gamers about whether or not they’re staying for his or her COVID-19 bonus season. — Charlie Creme
Ought to the Tigers be apprehensive about their sluggish begin within the second spherical? Within the first half, LSU did not seem like the defending nationwide champion. As a substitute, the Tigers appeared a bit discombobulated and trailed 36-32 on the break. In some methods, this wasn’t a shock contemplating the Blue Raiders gained 30 video games this season and beat No. 6 seed Louisville within the first spherical. Center Tennessee got here into this recreation totally believing it might win.
Nonetheless, the priority was extra about how LSU performed, particularly contemplating the Tigers will should be sharper within the Candy 16. They weren’t taking part in nicely as a unit — take into account Angel Reese was 3-of-10 from the sector within the first half, and each shot she took was contested — and the Blue Raiders took benefit of it.
To the Tigers’ credit score, as soon as they bought in gear, they took over the sport and dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring the Blue Raiders 24-7. Center Tennessee additionally misplaced 6-foot-6 beginning heart Anastasiia Boldyreva within the third quarter when she fouled out, which helped flip the tide as LSU superior to the Candy 16 for the sixteenth time in program historical past.
What it means for LSU: The Tigers are recognized for his or her rebounding, however they’d bother with it within the first half in opposition to Center Tennessee. LSU ended up profitable the board battle — barely, at 43-41 — with a mixed 24 coming from Aneesah Morrow and Reese. Flau’jae Johnson led in scoring with 21 factors. The underside line is the Tigers gained, however they won’t advance additional if they’ve the identical sort of first-half woes within the subsequent spherical.
What it means for Center Tennessee: The Tigers snapped the Blue Raiders’ 20-game profitable streak Sunday, however Center Tennessee had season. The Blue Raiders went unbeaten in Convention USA play, profitable the league match. They usually bought one of many uncommon NCAA early-round upsets this yr. — Michael Voepel
1:40
Colorado Buffaloes vs. Drake Bulldogs – Recreation Highlights
Watch the Recreation Highlights from Colorado Buffaloes vs. Drake Bulldogs
How good is Colorado’s protection? Statistically, Colorado has — however not nice — protection. In Sunday’s recreation, significantly within the second half, the Buffaloes had been nice. They restricted Kansas State star Ayoka Lee your entire recreation and held the Wildcats to fifteen factors within the second half. Kansas State missed 20 of its 26 photographs and dedicated 11 turnovers within the remaining 20 minutes. Junior Aaronette Vonleh, who drew the task guarding the 6-foot-6 Lee within the submit, was the defensive star. Vonleh had seven steals, all within the first half. Lee had simply 9 discipline objective makes an attempt and 10 factors.
Colorado additionally struggled offensively within the fourth quarter, failing to attain some extent till there was 3:42 left — sure, you learn that proper — additional spotlighting the significance of how nicely the Buffs performed protection. That they had 17 steals and compelled 22 turnovers vs. a Kansas State crew that averaged 13.9 on the season. Steadiness dominated the day, with six Colorado gamers scoring a minimum of 9 factors.
What it means for Colorado: A second straight Candy 16 look is an enormous accomplishment for a program that final season made its first match look in 20 years and misplaced six of eight video games coming into this NCAA match. The Buffs had additionally blown leads of their final two losses. Holding on within the fourth quarter reversed that development. This system hasn’t been to the Elite Eight since 2002 and has by no means been to the Closing 4. Contemplating the Buffs’ expertise, this might be the season they finish these streaks. All eight gamers within the rotation are a minimum of juniors, and 4 are taking part in of their fifth yr.
What it means for Kansas State: After season — one which barely exceeded expectations — this ending is hard. Lee hasn’t introduced a call on whether or not she’ll return subsequent season for her bonus fifth yr. If she does, with Serena Sundell, Jaelyn Glenn and Brylee Glenn again, the Wildcats can get again right here once more in 2025. — Charlie Creme
1:38
Oregon State Beavers vs. Japanese Washington Eagles – Recreation Highlights
Watch the Recreation Highlights from Oregon State Beavers vs. Japanese Washington Eagles
How did Oregon State draw back with Raegan Beers on the bench? The sport was largely a defensive slog, as each groups mixed for 34 factors throughout the second and third quarters. And whereas the Beavers maintained the lead all through, Nebraska managed to get the rating inside two possessions within the third interval. However Oregon State had its greatest quarter and raced forward for good within the fourth, whilst All-American Beers sat on the bench due to foul bother.
The Beavers had been compelled to go small, taking part in Lily Hansford, Kelsey Rees and Dom Paurova, however that additionally allowed them to stretch the ground: Oregon State hit 5 3-pointers within the fourth interval alone (two apiece from Hansford and Talia von Oelhoffen in addition to one from Timea Gardiner). These 5 marked half of the Beavers’ recreation whole and another than Nebraska made your entire contest, serving to Oregon State construct a large edge.
Defensively, the Beavers slowed down a Cornhuskers quad that put up 89 in opposition to Iowa earlier this month, not permitting it to surpass the 40-point threshold till there have been fewer than two minutes to play and Oregon State was comfortably forward. And after Nebraska sank 44 3s throughout its Massive Ten match run, it began 1-for-15 from deep till hitting a number of within the remaining couple minutes of the sport.
Von Oelhoffen had a standout afternoon, combining to attain or help on 39 of Oregon State’s 61 factors and changing 5 of 11 makes an attempt from the 3-point arc. And with Beers restricted, Gardiner’s 17 factors (three 3s) and seven boards had been all of the extra vital.
What it means for Oregon State: Following a two-year hiatus from the NCAA match, Scott Rueck and his younger Beavers are again within the Candy 16 for the primary time since 2019 and for the sixth time total — a exceptional accomplishment for a crew that had simply 4 Pac-12 wins a season in the past, was picked to complete tenth within the league within the preseason and has no seniors on its roster.
What it means for Nebraska: Nebraska fell wanting this system’s third look within the second weekend (and first since 2013) however nonetheless comes away with this system’s first NCAA match win in 10 years, snapping a four-game shedding streak within the Massive Dance. And even earlier than then, the Cornhuskers’ beautiful run to the Massive Ten match championship recreation, the place they took Iowa to time beyond regulation, makes for a comparatively excessive word on which to finish the season. Whereas Jaz Shelley is out of eligibility, coach Amy Williams will return junior Alexis Markowski in addition to promising freshmen Natalie Potts and Logan Nissley. — Alexa Philippou
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