Women's March Madness Roundup: Baylor's Thrilling Rally Leads Perfect Day for Higher Seeds
In a stunning display of resilience, the Baylor Bears mounted a remarkable comeback to defeat the Nebraska Cornhuskers 67-62 on Friday, highlighting a first round of the NCAA Tournament where all higher seeds emerged victorious. The day saw 16 games go exactly as predicted by the seedings, with chalk prevailing across the board.
Baylor's Fourth-Quarter Surge Secures Victory
Taliah Scott led the charge for Baylor with 15 points, including crucial free throws down the stretch, as the sixth-seeded Bears erased a nine-point deficit in the final quarter. After a cold spell left them trailing 50-41 with 9:33 remaining, Baylor turned up the pressure with a full-court press, forcing six turnovers from Nebraska in the decisive period.
The turning point came with the game tied at 53 and 3:48 on the clock. Baylor coach Nicki Collen successfully appealed for a review of a play involving Nebraska's Jessica Petrie, resulting in a flagrant foul call. Scott sank two free throws to give Baylor a lead they would not relinquish. Petrie, who had contributed 10 points, fouled out shortly after.
Darianna Littlepage-Buggs added 13 points, while Jana Van Gytenbeek chipped in 12, including two critical three-pointers in the second half. The Bears, now 25-8, demonstrated their tenacity in a hard-fought opener.
Dominant Performances from Top Contenders
Elsewhere, the No. 2 LSU Tigers showcased their offensive prowess with a commanding 116-58 victory over Jacksonville. Flau'jae Johnson scored 20 points, and Mikaylah Williams contributed 18 points and 10 assists, as LSU surpassed their nation-leading scoring average with ease. The Tigers recorded a season-high 18 steals and dominated points off turnovers.
The No. 1 Texas Longhorns opened their campaign with an emphatic 87-45 win over Missouri State. Jordan Lee scored 19 points, and All-American Madison Booker added 14 points and 12 rebounds. Texas built a 32-point lead by halftime, overwhelming their opponents with size and speed.
No. 3 TCU also impressed, securing an 86-40 victory over UC San Diego. Olivia Miles achieved her 12th career triple-double with 12 points, 16 rebounds, and 14 assists, leading the Horned Frogs to their 43rd consecutive home win.
Other Notable Results
In other action, No. 3 Duke defeated the College of Charleston 81-64 behind Toby Fournier's 24 points, while No. 4 Minnesota rallied past Green Bay 75-58 with a 30-point fourth quarter. No. 5 Mississippi overpowered Gonzaga 81-66, and No. 7 Texas Tech held off Villanova 57-52.
The tournament continues with second-round matchups set for Sunday, as teams vie for a spot in the Sweet 16. With higher seeds asserting their dominance, the stage is set for more thrilling basketball in the days ahead.
