March Madness has officially begun! The women’s NCAA tournament kicked off with an exhilarating opening day featuring 16 thrilling games. We are here to keep you updated on all the action across the brackets.
Get ready! We’re in for an exciting 12 hours of women’s basketball. Stay on top of the live scoreboards, check out your Women’s Tournament Challenge bracket, and consider this your go-to source for all highlights, results, analysis, and on-site coverage from ESPN.
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Friday’s Game Schedule (All times ET):
(12) FDU vs. (2) TCU, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
(13) Grand Canyon vs. (4) Baylor, 3:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
(16) Tennessee Tech vs. (1) South Carolina, 4 p.m. (ESPN)
(13) Montana State vs. (4) Ohio State, 5:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
(10) Oregon vs. (7) Vanderbilt, 5:30 p.m. (ESPNEWS)
(10) Nebraska vs. (7) Louisville, 6 p.m. (ESPN)
(12) Ball State vs. (5) Ole Miss, 6 p.m. (ESPNU)
(9) Georgia Tech vs. (8) Richmond, 7:30 p.m. (ESPNEWS)
(12) South Florida vs. (5) Tennessee, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
(15) Lehigh vs. (2) Duke, 8 p.m. (ESPNU)
(16) Southern vs. (1) UCLA, 10 p.m. (ESPN)
Friday Highlights and Takeaways
Michigan vs. Iowa State
Final Score: Michigan 80, Iowa State 74
What sparked Michigan’s impressive second-half performance? Jordan Hobbs delivered an unforgettable game, scoring 28 points (9 of 16 field goals, 5 of 10 three-pointers) after only amassing 10 points in her previous five NCAA tournament games. Her outstanding performance not only set a new personal record but also tied the program record for most points in a tournament game. Whenever Iowa State’s Audi Crooks made a push, Hobbs was there to respond. Notably, this is the first instance in Michigan’s history where five players (from both starting and bench) each scored in double digits during an NCAA tournament game.
As Michigan prepares for the next round against the winner of Stephen F. Austin and Notre Dame, questions arise about their inexperience. The Wolverines’ starting lineup, which features freshmen Olivia Olson, Mila Holloway, and Syla Swords, contributed 100% of their points. Freshmen account for 49.2% of the team’s total minutes, the highest in the tournament. Swords had 11 points but fell short of her season average (16.1 points) and scored only once in the final quarter, while Olson stepped up during crunch time, scoring 9 of her total 16 points in the fourth. — Courtney Cronin
Kentucky vs. Liberty
Final Score: Kentucky 79, Liberty 78
How did Kentucky manage to hold on for the win? The Wildcats built a considerable lead in the first half and fought to maintain it, even as they struggled in the fourth quarter. Senior guard Georgia Amoore recorded a game-high 34 points, matching the highest total ever by a Kentucky player in an NCAA tournament game. Despite her explosive first quarter (23 points), the Kentucky offense faltered as the game progressed. Liberty narrowed the gap to just one point in the final minute but couldn’t seize the opportunity for a potential game-winning play.
This close call serves as a reminder for Kentucky; what seemed like an easy victory turned challenging as Liberty forced other players to step up offensively. Amoore illustrated her skill in creating shots and sinking deep three-pointers. Sophomore center Clara Strack and senior guard Dazia Lawrence also made significant contributions with 16 and 15 points, respectively, during crucial moments. Coach Kenny Brooks will be looking for a more consistent performance in the next round, especially after noting issues with post defense following the fouling out of key players. The Wildcats struggled in the fourth quarter, shooting just 5-for-17, with each attempt facing heavy contest. — Ben Baby
