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How Did Day 1 Of March Madness Look Like? A Detailed Breakdown Of Future WNBA Stars’ Performance In The NCAA
Azzi Fudd and KK Arnold (Photo by Imagn Images)

How Did Day 1 Of March Madness Look Like? A Detailed Breakdown Of Future WNBA Stars’ Performance In The NCAA

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Day 1 of March Madness saw all the better-seeded teams advancing to the next round, with LSU, Texas Tech and TCU winning with big margins.

The WNBA season got the green signal with the WNBA and WNBPA ending the stalemate, finally ending with a historic tentative deal after seventeen months. With this positive news, fans are also ready for the NCAAW March Madness, with first-round games putting in multiple top teams on Day 1 of the tournament.

Here are the top results of the top teams in the NCAAW tournament, day 1.

Lauren Betts and Gabriela Jaquez
Lauren Betts and Gabriela Jaquez (Photo by Imagn Images)

March Madness Day 1 Results

(2) LSU 116-58 Jacksonville 58 (15)

Flau’jae Johnson scored 20 points, and Mikaylah Williams contributed 18 points and 10 assists as LSU won against Jacksonville. LSU (28-5), known for its high scoring, reached 100 points for the 15th time this season. The Tigers also achieved a season-high 18 steals and had a 38-13 lead in points off turnovers. Jacksonville’s key players were Carmaya Bowman with 14 points and Tatum Brown with 10 points.

Flau’jae Johnson could play for Toronto Tempo as the WNBA mock draft’s ideal first pick for building a young core.

(3) Duke 81-64 College of Charleston (14)

Toby Fournier scored 24 points with 11-of-18 shooting as Duke started March Madness with a win over the College of Charleston. Jordan Wood added 17 points, hitting all five of his three-point shots, while Delaney Thomas contributed 19 points and nine rebounds for the third-seeded Blue Devils, who are hosting the tournament at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Duke has improved significantly since a 3-6 start, winning 22 of the last 24 games, including a second straight ACC Tournament title.

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Coach Kara Lawson expressed frustration during the game due to 20 turnovers leading to 22 points for Charleston. She emphasized the need to meet performance standards, regardless of the score. Fournier, a notable player, made impressive offensive and defensive plays.

(5) Mississippi 81-66 Gonzaga (12)

Latasha Lattimore led Mississippi with 15 points in their victory over Gonzaga. Cotie McMahon and Sira Thienou contributed 13 and 12 points, respectively, while Thienou also had eight rebounds and four blocks. Mississippi, the No. 5 seed, will play the winner of the Minnesota vs. Green Bay matchup on Sunday. Denim DeShields added 11 points and four assists for the Rebels. Allie Turner scored 27 points for Gonzaga, who fell behind by 13 points early but narrowed the gap before Mississippi went on a strong run to lead 39-23 at halftime.

(7) Texas Tech 57-52 Villanova (10)

Bailey Maupin scored seven of her 17 points in the last three minutes, helping Texas Tech defeat Villanova. Denae Fritz added 13 points, and Texas Tech shot 44% from the field and made 14 of 15 free throws. Kelsey Joens scored 14 points for Villanova.

(4) North Carolina 82-51 Western Illinois (13)

Nyla Harris scored 17 points, Lanie Grant added 15, and North Carolina defeated Western Illinois, which struggled with shooting. Nyla Brooks contributed 14 points, and Indya Nivar had 11, helping the Tar Heels win their fifth straight first-round game. North Carolina (27-7) will play fifth-seeded Maryland, which won 99-67 against Murray State, in the second round. Mia Nicastro led Western Illinois with 21 points, but the team shot only 30.4% overall.

(5) Maryland 99-67 Murray State 67 (12)

Redshirt freshman Kyndal Walker scored a career-high 20 points, leading Maryland to a victory over Murray State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Mir McLean contributed 19 points, Addi Mack added 18, Yarden Garzon scored 12, and Saylor Poffenbarger had 10 points. Maryland, with a strong 50% shooting performance, dominated on the boards with 24 offensive rebounds, totalling 51 rebounds to Murray State’s 21. The Terrapins (24-8) will face the winner of North Carolina-Western Illinois in the second round. Murray State’s Halli Poock scored 27 points, contributing to a school-record 31 wins despite ending their 15-game winning streak.

(1) Texas 87-45 Missouri State (16)

Jordan Lee scored 19 points as Texas crushed Missouri State in the women’s NCAA Tournament, leading by 32 points at halftime. All-American Madison Booker contributed 14 points and 12 rebounds. The Longhorns, with a record of 32-3, will face No 8-seed Oregon in the second round.

Texas dominated with its size and speed, with Kyla Oldacre adding 15 points and strong defensive performances from guards Lee, Rori Harmon, and Bryanna Preston. Missouri State struggled, making only four baskets in the first half.

(2) Michigan 83-48 Holy Cross 48 (15)

Mila Holloway and Syla Swords each scored seven points in a strong first quarter, totalling 33 points to lead Michigan to a win over Holy Cross. Holloway finished with 20 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, while Swords had 13 points, and Olivia Olson added 12 points and eight rebounds. Michigan, now 26-6, will play at home against N. C. State or Tennessee on Sunday for a chance to reach the Sweet 16. Holy Cross’s Kaitlyn Flanagan was the only player in double digits, scoring 11 points.

(7) NC State 76-61 Tennessee 61 (10)

Zamareya Jones scored 30 points, including 15 in the first half, leading North Carolina State to defeat Tennessee. The Wolfpack (21-10) will face Michigan (26-6) in the next round, but may be without guard Zoe Brooks due to a leg injury. Tennessee (16-14) has lost eight consecutive games, matching a school record.

(7) Oregon 70-60 Virginia Tech (10)

Katie Fiso scored 22 points as Oregon defeated Virginia Tech in the opening round of the women’s NCAA Tournament. Ehis Etute contributed 11 points and 11 rebounds for the No 8-seed Ducks (23-12), who dominated the third quarter with an 18-0 scoring run, advancing to the second round against No 1 Texas.

Mia Jacobs added 13 points for Oregon while Carys Baker led the No 9-seed Hokies (23-10) with 21 points. Oregon started strong, leading 22-11 by the first quarter. Despite a brief rally from Virginia Tech, Oregon’s strong third quarter allowed them to extend their lead significantly.

(3) TCU 86-40 UC San Diego (14)

Olivia Miles achieved her 12th career triple-double with 12 points, 16 rebounds, and 14 assists, leading TCU to victory over UC San Diego in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. This win marked TCU’s 43rd consecutive home victory. Miles contributed to the team’s strong start, assisting on the first four baskets and helping the Frogs establish an early 11-2 lead.

Coach Mark Campbell praised her energetic play, stating that the team thrives when she is in attack mode. Taylor Bigby scored a career-high 27 points, while Clara Silva and Marta Suarez also delivered double-doubles. Miles’ 14 assists set a new single-game record for TCU.
Miles’ decision to delay her WNBA career makes her a top-5 pick candidate, and her game today is once again a reminder of her overall impact on the court.

(4) Oklahoma 89-59 Idaho (13)

Raegan Beers scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, helping Oklahoma defeat Idaho. Beers also contributed four assists and four blocks. Other key players for Oklahoma included Sahara Williams with 17 points, Aaliyah Chavez with 15 points, and Payton Verhulst with 14 points. Oklahoma will face No. 5 seed Michigan State next. Kyra Gardner led Idaho with 19 points.

(4) Michigan State 65-62 Colorado State (12)

Grace VanSlooten and Kennedy Blair each scored 18 points as Michigan State came from behind in the second half to defeat Colorado State. VanSlooten also grabbed 10 rebounds. Michigan State will next face No. 4 seed Oklahoma. Brooke Carlson scored 26 points for Colorado State, which was without its leading scorer due to an injury.

(6) Washington 72-54 South Dakota State 54 (11)

Avery Howell scored 30 points and grabbed nine rebounds, leading Washington to its first NCAA Tournament win since 2017 by defeating South Dakota State. After South Dakota State took an early lead of 13-3, the game was tied at 15 before Howell hit a 3-pointer at the end of the first quarter. She scored another 3-pointer early in the second quarter, allowing Washington to take the lead.

Howell, a transfer from Southern Cal, contributed seven 3s and emphasised her experience in high-pressure situations. Brooklyn Meyer led South Dakota State with 29 points, but their 10-game winning streak was broken. Washington’s last NCAA win was nine years ago.

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