LSU hits Sweet 16 amid coach drama
LSU coach Kim Mulkey pledged that she wouldn’t let an impending Washington Post “hit piece” about her derail the defending national champion Tigers during the women’s NCAA Tournament.
So far, so good as Angel Reese (20 points and 11 rebounds) and Flau’Jae Johnson (21 points) helped the third-seeded Tigers (30-5) pull away for an 83-56, second-round victory over No. 11 seed Middle Tennessee (30-5) on Sunday in Baton Rouge, La.
LSU advances to the Albany 2 Region semifinals, where it plays the winner of UCLA and Creighton. One more victory could potentially pit the Tigers against Iowa and NCAA all-time leading scorer Caitlin Clark in a rematch of last year’s national title game.
Colorado 63, Kansas State 50
In Manhattan, Kan., Tameiya Sadler scored all 10 of her points in the second half to lead a balanced scoring attack and the No. 5 seed Buffaloes (24-9) beat four-seed K-State (26-8) to set up a matchup Saturday against the winner of No. 1 seed Iowa and No. 8 seed West Virginia.
Portland 3
Duke 75, Ohio State 63
In Columbus, Ohio, Reigan Richardson scored 28 points and added seven rebounds as the No. 7 seed Blue Devils (22-11) rallied from a 16-point first-half deficit to beat the No. 2 seed Buckeyes and earn a spot in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2008.
Ashlon Jackson scored 13 points and Taina Mair added 11 for the Blue Devils, who next face the winner of Syracuse and UConn.
Baylor 75, Virginia Tech 72
In Blacksburg, Va., Jada Walker scored 26 of her career-high 28 points in the second half to lead the fifth-seeded Bears (26-7) past the fourth-seeded Hokies (25-8) and into their first Sweet 16 since 2021 on Saturday against the winner of USC-Kansas.
Portland 4
Texas 65, Alabama 54
In Austin, Texas, Aaliyah Moore matched her career best with 21 points, had 10 rebounds and made a timely defensive play in the fourth quarter to help the No. 1 seed Longhorns (32-4) oust the Crimson Tide (24-10) and move on to face the Utah-Gonzaga winner in the Sweet 16 on Friday.
Albany 1
South Carolina 88, North Carolina 41
In Columbia, S.C., freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley had 20 points including four 3-pointers, Kamilla Cardoso had a double-double in her return from a one-game suspension and the overall top-seeded Gamecocks (34-0) powered into their 10th straight Sweet 16 with a victory over eighth-seeded UNC (20-13), setting a Friday contest against either No. 4 seed Indiana or No. 5 seed Oklahoma.
Oregon State 61, Nebraska 51
In Corvallis, Ore., Talia von Oelhoffen had 19 points and eight assists to help the third-seeded Beavers (26-7) past the No. 6 Huskers (23-13) and set up a Sweet 16 showdown between either second-seeded Notre Dame or No. 7 Ole Miss.