Women's March Madness: Day 1 Live Updates, Scores, and Key Takeaways
.webp)
A Full Day of Basketball Action
Get ready for 12 hours of non-stop women's college basketball. Keep your eyes on the scoreboard, check your Women's Tournament Challenge bracket, and stay tuned for live coverage, expert analysis, and reactions from the games.
Friday’s Game Schedule (All Times in ET):
(8) Indiana vs. (9) Utah – 1:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
(14) Stephen F. Austin vs. (3) Notre Dame – 2 p.m. (ESPN)
(12) Fairfield vs. (5) Kansas State – 2:30 p.m. (ESPNEWS)
(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)
Columbia Secures Its First NCAA Tournament Victory
Columbia 63, Washington 60
Riley Weiss was determined not to let Columbia exit the NCAA tournament without a win this time. The sophomore guard delivered a standout performance, scoring 14 of her 24 points in the fourth quarter to lead Columbia to a thrilling 63-60 comeback victory over Washington.
The win came exactly one year after Columbia’s debut in March Madness, where they fell to Vanderbilt in the First Four round.
“This is what we’ve been working towards all season,” Weiss said. “We’ll celebrate tonight, but we’re already focused on the next game.”
Columbia, now set to face sixth-seeded West Virginia on Saturday, made history as just the fifth Ivy League team to win an NCAA tournament game. The Lions were trailing by 13 points at halftime but surged back in the final quarter thanks to Weiss’ clutch shooting.
With just 18 seconds left, Weiss sank two free throws to put Columbia ahead 61-57. Washington’s Elle Ladine responded with a deep three-pointer, bringing the game within one point. However, Weiss remained cool under pressure, draining another pair of free throws with 12 seconds remaining to secure the victory.
Washington had one last shot to tie the game, but Ladine’s final three-point attempt missed the mark. As the buzzer sounded, the Columbia players erupted in celebration at midcourt.
Columbia’s Road to Victory
Weiss completed a four-point play early in the fourth quarter to give Columbia its first lead of the game.
With the game tied at 54, Susie Rafiu hit a crucial layup just before the shot clock expired.
Marija Avlijas drilled a three-pointer off a steal to extend Columbia’s lead to 59-54.
Coach Megan Griffith has transformed Columbia into a powerhouse in Ivy League women’s basketball, leading the team to three consecutive regular-season conference titles, including this year’s outright championship.
Washington's Struggle to Hold the Lead
Despite a strong start, Washington couldn’t maintain its early dominance. The Huskies jumped out to a 19-6 lead, hitting nine of their first 12 shots. Columbia, on the other hand, struggled offensively in the first half, making just 30% of their shots and going 2-for-15 from three-point range.
Sayvia Sellers led Washington with 21 points, while Dalayah Daniels added 17 points and 11 rebounds. However, their efforts weren’t enough to stop Columbia’s fourth-quarter comeback.
Washington coach Tina Langley took full responsibility for the loss, stating, “This one’s on me. When they started hitting shots, we didn’t respond the way we needed to.”
William & Mary Celebrates Historic First March Madness Win
In another historic moment, William & Mary’s women’s basketball team secured their first-ever NCAA tournament victory with a 69-63 win over High Point in the First Four round.
Key Highlights:
Bella Nascimento led the charge with 24 points, propelling William & Mary to victory.
The win was especially significant as it marked the first time in history that the school’s basketball program—men’s or women’s—won an NCAA tournament game.
As a No. 16 seed, William & Mary now advances to face top-seeded Texas on Saturday.
The Journey to March Madness
William & Mary earned their tournament spot by winning the Coastal Athletic Association Championship, pulling off a remarkable underdog run by winning four games in four days. The team had struggled in the regular season but peaked at the right time to clinch their first NCAA appearance.
Their victory over High Point marks a milestone moment for the program and sets the stage for an exciting showdown against Texas.
Stay Tuned for More March Madness Action
With more matchups ahead, this tournament is just getting started. Keep an eye on the latest results, expert predictions, and surprise upsets as the road to the championship continues!