South Carolina rolls to opening win

Zia Cooke scored 11 points as No. 1 South Carolina moved five wins away from a perfect season after opening the women’s NCAA Tournament with a 72-40 victory over No. 16 seed Norfolk State on Friday.

Aliyah Boston had seven points, nine rebounds and two blocks for the Gamecocks (33-0), who won their 39th straight game dating back to last year’s NCAA title run and moved to 11-0 in first-round games under coach Dawn Staley. They’ll face No. 8 seed South Florida on Sunday for a spot in the Sweet 16 in the Greenville, South Carolina Regional.

Kierra Wheeler led Norfolk State with 13 points.

Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu scored 22 points and Elena Tsineke’s jumper with 31.2 seconds left in overtime put South Florida ahead for good in a win over Marquette.

The Golden Eagles (22-11) had a final look to win, but Mackenzie Hare’s 3-pointer went inside the rim and rolled out with a second to play.

The Bulls (27-6), who didn’t lead for the game’s first 38 minutes, rallied several times including from 4736 down in regulation to tie their mark for wins in a season.

Abby Meyers scored 16 points and Diamond Miller added 13 points and eight rebounds as Maryland rolled to a victory over Holy Cross.

The Terrapins (26-6) scored the game’s first 14 points and advanced to face seventh-seeded Arizona on Sunday. Maryland was able to give its top players plenty of rest, with Miller, Meyers and Shyanne Sellers each playing a little over half the game.

Sellers had 13 points and eight assists, and Brinae Alexander led Maryland in scoring with 18 points.

Holy Cross (24-9) was led by Simone Foreman’s 13 points.

Cate Reese scored 25 points and Esmery Martinez hadd a double-double against her former team, helping Arizona to a victory over West Virginia.

The Wildcats (22-9) started fast and never trailed, and will next play the winner of Friday’s Marylandholy Cross game. Arizona entered the tournament on a three-game losing streak, but had a couple weeks off before this matchup.

JJ Quinerly led West Virginia with 19 points.

Forward Maddy Westbeld scored 20 points and led Notre Dame to a win over Southern Utah.

Guard Sonia Citron chipped in 14 points and a season-high six assists. The team’s leading scorer, she transitioned into the team’s primary facilitator with second-team Associated Press All-american guard Olivia Miles out the remainder of the season with an undisclosed knee injury.

Lauren Ebo had a doubledouble with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Megan Jensen led Southern Utah (23-10) with 11 points.

Jerkaila Jordan scored 20 and led Mississippi State to a win against Creighton.

Jessika Carter, the 6-5 Bulldog center, took advantage of the Bluejays’ undersized front court, with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Anastasia Hayes chipped in 12 points and seven assists. Ahlana Smith and Asianae Johnson each added 10 points.

Lauren Jensen scored 22 points to lead Creighton (229).

Angel Reese had 34 points and 15 rebounds — her 29th double-double this season — and LSU defeated Hawaii.

Flau’jae Johnson scored 10 for LSU (29-2), which raced to a double-digit lead in the first quarter and maintained a comfortable lead most of the way.

Kallin Spiller and Daejah Phillips each scored 13 for Hawaii (18-15).

Emily Kiser had 18 points and 10 rebounds, Maddie Nolan added 18 points, and Michigan beat UNLV, snapping the Rebels’ 22-game winning streak.

Leigha Brown scored 17 points for Michigan (23-9), which had lost three of its previous four games. The Wolverines used their advantages in size and physicality to build and keep a doubledigit lead for much of their opening game in the Greenville 2 region.

Georgia Amoore scored 22 points, Elizabeth Kitley added 12, and top-seeded Virginia Tech rolled to a victory over Chattanooga.

Kitley added 14 rebounds while Amoore hit five 3-pointers for the Hokies (28-4), who won their 12th consecutive game.

Yazz Wazeerud-din and Raven Thompson led Chattanooga (20-13) with 10 points each.

Caitlin Clark had 26 points and 12 assists and Monika Czinano added 22 points as Iowa defeated Southeastern Louisiana.

Hannah Stuelke added 13 points for the Hawkeyes (276), who will play No. 10 seed Georgia in the second round on Sunday.

Diamond Battles scored 21 points and Audrey Warren added 11 points as Georgia defeated Florida State.

Jordan Isaacs had 10 points and Javyn Nicholson had 13 rebounds for the Lady Bulldogs (22-11).

Florida State (23-10), a No. 7 seed, had just eight available players for the tournament.