Duke Knocks Out Irish to Face #1 Seed NC State in Title Game
On Saturday, in the ACC, the start of the semi-finals began with (#1) NC State holding off (#4) UNC to advance to the final game, winning 66 to 55. The Wolfpack were led by guard Aziaha James who scored 19 points and had nine rebounds. James’ scoring was assisted by Madison Hayes (10 points) and Lorena Awou (10 points). For the Wolfpack, points in the paint was the difference maker in the game, as they had 28 points compared to the Tar Heels 22 points.
The Wolfpack opened the game outscoring UNC by nine points and came out of the half outscoring the Tar Heels in the third quarter by 10 points. This had NC State up 54-37 going into the fourth quarter. At the 8:21 mark in the fourth quarter, the Wolfpack had the largest lead of the game with 19 points, however, the Tar Heels would attempt to close the gap outscoring NC State in the fourth 18-12, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit. For the Heels, guard Indya Nivar led the team with 13 points in the loss.
The Wolfpack are no strangers to the post season and winning in March, most recently winning the ACC regular season title. Last year, the team made a deep run in the national tournament making it to the Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, and Final Four where they lost to eventual 2024 National Champions, the South Carolina Gamecocks.
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 08: Ashlon Jackson #3 of the Duke Blue Devils controls the ball … [+]
In the second ACC matchup, (#2) Notre Dame was upset by the (#3) Duke Blue Devils 61-56, making this the third loss in their last five games. The game was back and forth between the two and three seeds with nine lead changes and seven ties. Duke known for their defense, kept the Irish to 37.5% shooting from the floor, 20% from beyond the arc, and caused them to commit 27 turnovers.
The Blue Devils were able to win the second chance point battle 14 to 4, as well as Duke’s bench contributed 28 points compared to Notre Dame’s 14 points. The Blue Devils were led by Oluchi Okananwa who had 14 points and seven rebounds and Ashlon Jackson with 12 points. In the loss, Notre Dame’s big three Hannah Hidalgo (23 points), Olivia Miles (10 points), and Sonia Citron (9 points) provided 42 of the team’s 56 points.
NC State and Duke will square off today, Sunday, March 9 at 1 pm EST on ESPN for the ACC tournament championship.
Big 10 Semi-Final Play Results in a California Clash for the Championship
In the first Big 10 matchup, (#1) USC came out by all accounts flat, and (#5) Michigan took an early and commanding lead in the first quarter outscoring the Trojans 12-9. The Wolverines defense was stifling, and the assignment was clear, double team and shut down Big 10 Player of the Year, JuJu Watkins.
This plan seemed to work as Watkins missed shots and showed frustration in the second quarter knocking over Michigan’s Jordan Hobbs picking up her second foul. With Watkins on the bench, the Wolverines jumped out to a 27-18 lead after back-to-back three pointers from Hobbs. However, USC recovered and pulled within two going into the half, 31-29. Watkins went into the half with four points, five rebounds, and three turnovers—stat lines almost unheard of for her.
Michigan again went on a run in the third quarter, but other USC players contributed to offset Watkins who was being double, and triple teamed most of the game, and were able to pull the Trojans within one point going into the fourth quarter.
Kiki Iriafen had a double-double with 25 points and 11 rebounds and Malia Samuels contributed eight points with a driving layup three point play late in the game. Avery Howell had been 1 of 8 overall when she knocked down a crucial three at the 4:30 mark in the fourth quarter to push the Trojans up by 10.
Watkins found her shot late in the game finishing with 20 points and going seven-for-17 shooting on the day with 11 rebounds and three steals, and yet this was perceived as a subpar and inefficient day for the superstar. Big Ten All Freshman Team selection Syla Swords led her team in scoring in the loss with 26 points, six rebounds, and three steals, and for most of the afternoon had the difficult task and primary assignment of guarding Watkins.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 8: Elsa Lemmila #12 of the Ohio State Buckeyes shoots the ball against … [+]
In the second game of the day, (#2) UCLA crushes (#3) Ohio State by 29 points to roll into the championship title game, 75-46. The Bruins came out to a hot and early start outscoring the Buckeyes in the first three quarters with an even distribution of scoring between four players, Londynn Jones leading all scorers with 22 points, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Lauren Betts with 12 points and six rebounds, Gabriela Jaquez with 12 points and five rebounds, and Angela Dugalić one rebound shy of a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds.
The Bruins dominated the boards and the paint out rebounding the Buckeyes 43 to 25 and scoring 32 points in the paint. Perhaps what was most telling was Big 10 First Team selection Cotie McMahon who had led all scorers the night before with 18 against Iowa was held to only six points in the loss.
The Big 10 final game will be another re-match of the two California powerhouses, with UCLA looking for revenge as USC has beat UCLA in their previous two encounters, handing the Bruins the only two losses they have on the season. The Big 10 conference tournament final will air today at 4:30 pm EST on CBS.
The Big 12 Title Comes Down to the Lone Star State
In the first Big 12 semi-final game, (#1) TCU held off (#5) West Virginia 71-65 to advance to the championship game. The Hornfrogs were led by the Big 12 Player and Newcomer of the Year in Hailey Van Lith who had 19 points and eight assists, paired with Sedona Prince’s double-double of 18 points and 16 rebounds, and Madison Conner’s 16 points.
The game was a close contest, but TCU did go up 62-51 midway through the fourth quarter, but West Virginia stormed back with seven straight points to close the gap to 62-57 thanks to Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year JJ Quinerly’s jumper with 3:30 to go. However, out rebounding and a crucial three pointer from Connor who hit five on the day, managed to keep the game out of reach for the Mountaineers. The Mountaineers had four players in double digits in the loss including Quinerly who led all scorers with 20 points.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – MARCH 8: Madison Conner #2 of the TCU Horned Frogs celebrates with Hailey … [+]
In the second Big 12 game of the day, Baylor (#2) holds on in overtime to defeat Oklahoma State (#3) 84-74. The Baylor Bears were led by center Aaronette Vonleh who scored a career high 37 points and catapulted her team to outscore the Cowgirls in the paint 48-36.
The game was a highly physical game with 46 fouls called and six lead changes in the fourth quarter before going to overtime. Baylor would pull away in overtime with three consecutive possessions resulting in three pointers by Sarah Andrews, Jada Walker, and Waiata Jennings.
Unfortunately, for Oklahoma State their leading scorer and Big 12 First Team selection Stailee Heard fouled out during overtime, kicking the chair in frustration and had to be escorted down the tunnel out of the game. Heard finished the game with a double-double, 25 points and 12 rebounds.
TCU and Baylor will square off for the Big 12 conference title game at 5 pm EST on ESPN.
SEC Title Game Between Top Seeds
(#1) South Carolina cruises past (#5) Oklahoma 93-75 to land back in the SEC championship title game for the sixth year in a row. The Gamecocks were led by freshman and SEC First Team selection Joyce Edwards who had 21 points as well as MiLaysia Fulwiley, SEC Sixth Woman of the Year, who contributed 19 points coming off the bench in the victory.
The Gamecocks and their defense seemed to frustrate the Sooners and set a tone early as they took a commanding lead in the first half 45-33. The Gamecocks continued their dominance in the second half never leading by fewer than 10 points and limiting center and SEC First Team player Raegan Beers to seven points and eight rebounds after she had scored 20 points the day before against Kentucky. Perhaps the most telling stat, was South Carolina caused 16 turnovers for the Sooners, converting those turnovers into 22 points.
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA – MARCH 08: MiLaysia Fulwiley #12 of the South Carolina Gamecocks … [+]
In the second matchup in the SEC, (#2) Texas battles to beat (#3) LSU 56-49. The game was immensely physical between the two teams from the very beginning, with bodies flying all over the floor throughout the entire game. Both teams struggled to convert, at the 4 minute mark in the fourth quarter Ryan Rucco announced in disbelief that both teams were shooting under 29% for the game.
However, one player had a standout game, Madison Booker had 18 points in the first half and 25 points on the night overall. Injuries seemed to be a factor for LSU as star Flau’Jae Johnson was out of the entire tournament due to a shin injury. Aneesah Morrow who had scored a career high the night before against Florida, went down early in the third quarter with an ankle injury and did not return to the game. Mikaylah Williams led LSU with 11 points.
South Carolina and Texas will rematch from the regular season in the tournament title game taking place today at 3 pm EST on ESPN.
News from the Big East
Keeping a tracker on the remaining nationally ranked top 25 teams still in conference play, (#3) UConn beats St. John’s easily by 31 points yesterday 71-40, on the backs of their triple threat of Big East Player of the Year Paige Bueckers (20 points and five rebounds), Big East First Team selection Azzi Fudd (11 points) and Big East Freshman of the Year Sarah Strong (10 points and 14 rebounds for a double-double). The Huskies committed just four turnovers in the win compared to St. John’s 16.
UConn jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter outscoring their opponent 18-2. This would be all the Huskies would need, as they would not allow St. John’s to come within reach the remainder of the game. Despite the loss, St. John’s had three players in double digits, Kylie Lavelle (11 points), Lashae Dwyer (10), and Ariana Vanderhoop (11).
UNCASVILLE, CT – MARCH 08: UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) drives to the basket against St. … [+]
The Huskies will be back in action today playing Villanova in the semifinals on FOX at 2:30 pm EST.
(#23) Creighton proves to have a harder contest, slipping by Georgetown 72-70 in their Big East quarterfinal game. Creighton’s offense was led by their members of the Big East First Team in Lauren Jensen who had 22 points and six rebounds and Morgan Maly with 20 points and seven rebounds. The Bluejays won their battle inside, scoring 34 points in the paint and converting 15 points off costly turnovers by the Hoyas.
Georgetown went into the half with the lead 46-38, and despite the game having four ties, and two lead changes, Creighton was able to pull away in the third and fourth quarters outscoring the Hoyas by four points in the third and eight points in the fourth to close the gap and secure the win. The Hoyas had four players in double digits scoring in the loss, Big East First Team selection Kelsey Ransom (20 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds), Ariel Jenkins (16 points and 11 rebounds), Khadee Hession (13 points), and Victoria Rivera (10 points).
Creighton will play Seton Hall today at 5 pm EST on FOX.
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