Most top seeds exerted control in the Sweet 16, but one underdog had an upset on their mind. Now, the stage is set for Elite Eight matchups of the best women’s basketball has to offer. Here’s what you need to know.
Hannah Jump scored 17 points to lead top seed Stanford to an 89-62 romp over No. 5 Missouri State on Sunday, sending the Cardinal to the Elite Eight of the women’s NCAA Tournament for the 21st time.
This Sweet 16 rematch from Stanford’s win in 2019 quickly turned into a blowout. The Cardinal led by 23 at halftime and by as much as 38 in the fourth quarter. Stanford kept up its post-season barrage of 3-pointers by making 15 against the Lady Bears.
Stanford (28-2) has averaged 14 made 3s over its three tournament victories. The overall No. 1 seed advanced to Tuesday’s Alamo Region final against No. 2 Louisville.
Elle Ruffridge scored 18 points to lead Missouri State (23-3).
LOUISVILLE 60, OREGON 42
Dana Evans scored 29 points and No. 2 seed Louisville beat sixth-seeded Oregon to advance to the Elite Eight.
Louisville (26-3) continued its stellar defensive play, holding Oregon (15-9) to 14 points in the first half, including six in the second quarter.
Evans provided the offence. After going scoreless in the first quarter, the All-America guard started to heat up, finishing the second period with 13 points as Louisville led 29-14 at the break.
The Ducks tried to rally in the third quarter but were slowed when Nyara Sabally, who scored a team-leading 14 points, left the game late in the period with a left ankle injury.
HEMISFAIR REGION
SOUTH CAROLINA 76, GEORGIA TECH 65
Zia Cooke scored 17 points to lead top seed South Carolina past fifth-seeded Georgia Tech and into the Elite Eight.
It’s the third time in the past four women’s NCAA Tournaments that the Gamecocks have at least reached the regional finals. South Carolina won the national championship in 2017.
After going scoreless in the first half, Aliyah Boston had the first seven points in the third quarter as South Carolina (25-4) went on a 14-6 run to start the period. The All-America sophomore forward finished with nine points. The Gamecocks await either Maryland or Texas.
The Yellow Jackets (17-9) made a run in the fourth quarter to get within 69-63, but five consecutive points – the last coming on a 3-pointer from Cooke with 3 minutes left _ sealed the win. She was 5 for 6 from behind the arc.
Lotta-Maj Lahtinen scored 20 points to lead Georgia Tech.
TEXAS 64, MARYLAND 61
Charli Collier scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as No. 6 Texas shut down No. 2 Maryland’s high-powered offence for a 64-61 win Sunday night that sent the Longhorns to the Elite Eight as the lowest seed still alive in the women’s NCAA Tournament.
The Terrapins had the highest-scoring offence in the country during the regular season and averaged 99 points in the first two rounds before running into a Texas defensive wall that slowed the pace to a grinding halt.
Texas tied it at 59-59 on Celeste Taylor’s jumper in the final minute, then took the lead when Kyra Lambert scooped up a loose ball near midcourt and coasted in for a layup with 45 seconds left.
After Maryland’s Diamond Miller missed a twisting layup, Lauren Ebo snagged the rebound and quickly fired the ball to Lambert who was fouled. She made one of two free throws before Maryland’s Katie Benzan missed a 3-pointer. Celeste Taylor then made one of two free throws for a four-point lead.
Texas (21-9) advances to Tuesday’s Hemisfair Region final against No. 1 South Carolina, which beat fifth-seeded Georgia Tech earlier Sunday.
