San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
UConn celebrates Auriemma’s birthday with win
STORRS, Conn. — Paige Bueckers scored 28 points and freshman Ashlynn Shade added 26 as No. 3 seed UConn celebrated coach Geno Auriemma’s 70th birthday with an 86-64 win over Jackson State in the first round of the women’s NCAA Tournament on Saturday.
Aaliyah Edwards, wearing a mask after missing two games with a broken nose, had 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Huskies (30-5), who won in the opening round of the tournament for a 30th straight time.
Ti’Ian Boler scored 25 points and Angel Jackson had 13 for 14th seeded Jackson State
(26-7), which lost for the first time in 22 games.
KANSAS 81, MICHIGAN 72 (OT)
In Los Angeles, Zakiyah Franklin scored 22 points, including a tying 3-pointer that bounced on the rim and dropped with 12 seconds left in regulation, and the Jayhawks held on to beat the Wolverines.
Wyvette Mayberry and S’Mya Nichols added 15 points each for Kansas (20-12).
TENNESSEE, 92, GREEN BAY 63
In Raleigh, N.C., Rickea Jackson scored 26 points and the Volunteers rolled past the Phoenix on Saturday. Sarah Puckett added 14 points and four rebounds for Tennessee.
INDIANA 89, FAIRFIELD 56
In Bloomington, Ind., Sara Scalia scored 27 points to lead the Hoosiers over the Stags.
Indiana (25-5) will face the winner of No. 5 seed Oklahoma and No. 12 Florida Gulf Coast on Monday night.
Fairfield (31-2) saw its 29game winning streak end.
N. CAROLINA ST. 64 CHATTANOOGA 45
Aziaha James scored each of her 19 points in the second half, and the Wolfpack pulled away for a victory.
Next up for No. 3 seed N.C.
State (28-6) is ex-Wolfpack coach Kellie Harper and Tennessee (20-12) on Monday.
NOTRE DAME 81, KENT ST. 67
In South Bend, Ind., Sonia Citron scored 29 points and Hannah Hidalgo added a double-double with 14 points and 11 assists to help the Fighting Irish outlast the Flashes.
FRIDAY’S GAMES
REGIONAL 2
LSU 70, RICE 60
In Baton Rouge, La., Angel Reese had 10 points and 19
rebounds, and the Tigers overcame a feisty performance by the Owls for a victory.
Aneesah Morrow added 15 points, while Flau’Jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams each scored 14 for the Tigers (29-5), who had a hard time putting the away the Owls (19-15).
KANSAS ST. 78, PORTLAND 65
In Manhattan, Kan., Gabby Gregory had 22 points and Ayoka Lee scored 21 to lead the Wildcats over the Pilots.
COLORADO 86, DRAKE 72
In Manhattan, Kan., Aaronette Vonleh had 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead the fifth-seeded Buffaloes to a victory.
Colorado (23-9) also got 16 points from Jaylyn Sherrod and Kindyll Wetta.
Drake (29-6) got 24 points from Katie Dinnebier.
REGIONAL 3
BAYLOR 80, VANDERBILT 63
In Blacksburg, Va., Bella Fontleroy scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lift the Bears to a victory over the Commodores.
Fontleroy hit 6 of 12, including four 3-pointers, for Baylor (25-7).
Iyana Moore led Vanderbilt (23-10) with 15 points.
REGIONAL 4
STANFORD 79, NORFOLK ST. 50
In Stanford, Calif., Cameron Brink had 17 points, 15 rebounds and blocked six more shots to add to her nationleading total, and the Cardinal routed the Spartans.
Kiki Iriafen added 17 points, while Elena Bosgana scored a career-high 18 points for the Cardinal (29-5).
Stanford advances to face Iowa State (21-11) on Sunday.
ALABAMA 82, FLORIDA ST. 74
In Austin, Freshman Essence Cody had season highs with 20 points and 14 rebounds, and the Crimson Tide beat the Seminoles in Austin.
Ta’Niya Latson led Florida State (23-11) with 25 points and five assists.
IOWA ST. 93, MARYLAND 86
In Stanford, Calif., freshman Audi Crooks scored a careerhigh 40 points on 18-for-20 shooting in her NCAA Tournament debut, and the Cyclones rallied from 20 points down to beat the Terrapins.
The 20-point comeback marked the second-largest all-time in an NCAA Tournament game trailing only Texas A&M overcoming a 21-point deficit to beat Penn in 2017.