Boston, S. Carolina move on
Senior picks up her 81st double-double to power Gamecocks
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Zia Cooke scored 21 points and Aliyah Boston had her 81st career double double as topseeded South Carolina shook off a slow start to power past eighth-seeded South Florida and into the Sweet 16 with a 76-45 victory Sunday.
The Gamecocks improved to 34-0 with their 40th straight win overall and moved four victories away from a second straight national title. They’ll head to Greenville, S.C., where they won the Southeastern Conference Tournament two weeks ago, to play for a spot in the Final Four.
Boston, the program’s career record holder for double doubles, finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds, coming out of her final home game to a huge ovation. South Florida (27-7) entered looking for a programrecord for wins this season and its first berth in the Sweet 16, but couldn’t hang with the Gamecocks.
Notre Dame 53, Mississippi State 48:
Lauren Ebo had 10 points, 18 rebounds and four blocks to help Notre Dame beat Mississippi State. Maddy Westbeld added nine points and 15 rebounds for the Irish, who blew an eight-point lead in the fourth quarter before making the plays down the stretch for the win.
Maryland 77, Arizona 64:
Diamond Miller scored 13 of her 24 points in the third quarter to help Maryland to a victory over Arizona. The Terrapins (27-6) advance to the Sweet 16 for a third straight year and the 11th time under coach Brenda Frese.
Virginia Tech 72, South Dakota State 60:
Georgia Amoore scored 21 points and Virginia Tech held off South Dakota State. Elizabeth Kitley added 14 points and 14 rebounds for the Hokies (29-4), who won their 13th consecutive game to advance to the Sweet 16 for just the second time in program history.
Iowa 74, Georgia 66:
Caitlin Clark had 22 points and 12 assists while Monika Czinano added 20 points to help Iowa beat Georgia. The Hawkeyes (28-6) advance to the ninth Sweet 16 in program history. Gabbie Marshall added 15 points for Iowa.