2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament: Day 1 Results and Highlights
Date: March 22, 2025
Overview
Day 1 of the 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament concluded with a dominant display from higher seeds. In a notable statistic, only one double-digit seed advanced to the second round, signifying a day of expected outcomes across the board.
Key Game Results and Analysis
Oregon 77, Vanderbilt 73 (OT)
The Ducks secured a significant upset as the first double-digit seed to win, overcoming a substantial second-half lead. Despite facing a fierce comeback from Vanderbilt, which included a 19-point deficit at one point, Oregon’s defense tightened during overtime, limiting the Commodores to six points. Key contributions came from Peyton Scott, who notched 13 points and played a crucial role in drawing a foul that eliminated Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes, who led her team with 26 points.
This victory marks Oregon’s first NCAA tournament win since 2021 and sets up a clash with Duke in the next round. – Charlie Creme
UCLA 84, Southern 46
UCLA proved their status as a No. 1 seed with an emphatic win over Southern. They showcased their depth by having six players contribute in double digits, with Lauren Betts leading at 14 points. The Bruins maintained control throughout the game, capitalizing on the Jaguars’ shortcomings.
Next, the Bruins will face Richmond, who will provide a tougher challenge. – Paolo Uggetti
South Carolina 108, Tennessee Tech 48
In a record-setting performance, South Carolina achieved a historic win, scoring 108 points—the highest in their NCAA tournament history. They held a dominant rebounding advantage, outpacing Tennessee Tech in virtually all aspects of the game. Joyce Edwards starred with 22 points as the Gamecocks’ depth and bench strength played a pivotal role. Their next match is against Indiana, a rematch from the previous year’s tournament. – Charlie Creme
Notre Dame 106, Stephen F. Austin 54
Notre Dame’s potent offense combined with their defensive prowess resulted in a 50-point victory. Unfortunately, they suffered an injury to star player Olivia Miles, who left the game late in the fourth quarter. Hannah Hidalgo and Sonia Citron each scored 24 points, helping the Irish establish their dominance. They’ll meet Michigan in the second round after this rout. – Courtney Cronin
Tennessee 101, South Florida 66
Tennessee’s offensive efficiency shone through as they nailed 16 three-pointers, highlighting their strategy under coach Kim Caldwell. The Lady Vols forced 24 turnovers from South Florida, showcasing their defensive strength. Their second-round matchup will be against Ohio State, setting up an enticing pairing. – Alexa Philippou
TCU 73, FDU 51
Despite early shooting struggles, TCU transformed their game following halftime. They capitalized defensively, limiting FDU to only two second-chance points in the second half. Madison Conner led the Horned Frogs with a robust performance of 23 points. TCU’s next opponent will be determined by the late matchup between Nebraska and Louisville. – Katie Barnes
Richmond 74, Georgia Tech 49
In a notable clash, Richmond delivered a commanding performance, stunning Georgia Tech decisively. Maggie Doogan starred with 30 points, further solidifying her place in the tournament. The Spiders are now set to face the daunting challenge posed by UCLA. – Paolo Uggetti
Kentucky 79, Liberty 78
Kentucky narrowly escaped, holding on to a slim lead against Liberty. Georgia Amoore contributed significantly with 34 points, matching her team’s NCAA tournament scoring record. However, as defensive pressure intensified, the Wildcats will need to enhance their performance for the upcoming rounds. – Ben Baby
Duke 86, Lehigh 25
Duke delivered a breathtaking defensive performance, limiting Lehigh to just 25 points—the second-lowest in NCAA tournament history. They now look ahead to facing Oregon, who will provide a formidable challenge. – Kendra Andrews
Michigan 80, Iowa State 74
Jordan Hobbs was the standout for Michigan, contributing a remarkable 28 points. Despite the inexperienced makeup of the team, their collective efforts lead them past Iowa State and into a challenging matchup against Notre Dame. – Courtney Cronin
Ole Miss 83, Ball State 65
Ole Miss started slow but quickly turned the tide with a strong defensive effort, leading to their victory. The Rebels are set to take on Baylor next, as they aim for a deeper tournament run. – Kendra Andrews
Louisville 63, Nebraska 58
Louisville edged past Nebraska in a tightly contested match. Senior Jayda Curry’s clutch performance in the final moments was vital. They will face TCU next, making for an exciting second-round matchup. – Katie Barnes
Ohio State 71, Montana State 51
Ohio State’s dominant third quarter propelled them to victory. They forced 26 turnovers from Montana State, which significantly contributed to the Buckeyes’ success. Ohio State’s next challenge awaits as they’re set to face Tennessee. – Alexa Philippou
Baylor 73, Grand Canyon 60
Baylor maintained their composure against Grand Canyon, especially in the defensive aspects down the stretch. With a key player returning to form, they are positioned favorably for their upcoming matches. – Michael Voepel
Kansas State 85, Fairfield 41
In a dominating performance, Kansas State left no doubt, overmatching Fairfield with size and skill. Their impressive showing sets them up against Kentucky in a second-round game that promises high stakes. – Ben Baby
Indiana 76, Utah 68
Indiana managed to undeterredly advance, showcasing efficient scoring while overcoming shooting difficulties from outside. They will look to challenge top-seeded South Carolina next. – Michael Voepel
With Day 1 wrapped up, the tournament continues to showcase spirited matchups and unrivaled talents as teams vie for advancement and glory. The second round promises to bring even more excitement as teams face off in pivotal contests.