MTSU springs first upset
Wheeler gets hot, Blue Raiders rally to beat Louisville
Middle Tennessee State guard Savannah Wheeler, the Conference USA player of the year, missed her first six shots, committed two fouls and a turnover in the first 18 minutes of the Blue Raiders’ women’s tournament opener Friday against Louisville.
But when she finally scored her first points on a layup with 1:16 left in the half, a game the Cardinals had dominated was about to change.
Wheeler scored 20 of her 22 points in the second half, and No. 11 seed Middle Tennessee stormed back from 18 points down to defeat sixth-seeded Louisville, 7169, in the first big upset of the tournament.
“I just kept telling myself to to staying aggressive and just keep playing within myself and eventually one is going to fall,” said Wheeler, who hit five of her seven second-half shots, including three 3-pointers.
Jalynn Gregory scored 24 for MTSU (30-4), which won its 20th consecutive game.
Albany 1 Region
South Carolina 91, Presbyterian 39: The overall No. 1 Gamecocks (33-0) moved five wins away from the 10th perfect season in women’s basketball history. Chloe Kitts scored 21 points on 9-for-9 shooting and had a game-high 13 rebounds for South Carolina.
North Carolina 59, Michigan State 56: Deja Kelly hit two of four free throws in the final five seconds and pulled down a critical rebound as the eighth-seeded Tar Heels (2012) held off a late rally by the ninth-seeded Spartans.
Oregon State 73, Eastern Washington 51: The No. 3 seed Beavers (25-7) used a
24-9 second quarter to put away the Eagles. Raegan Beers had 19 points and nine rebounds for Oregon State.
Albany 2 Region
LSU 70, Rice 60: Angel Reese grabbed 19 rounds as the third-seeded Tigers (29-5) took control midway in the second quarter. Annesah Morrow’s 15 points led LSU.
Kansas State 78, Portland 65: Gabby Gregory scored 22 points and Ayoka Lee had 21 to lead the No. 4 seed Wildcats (36-7).
Colorado 86, Drake 72: Aaronette Vonleh’s 18 points and 10 rebounds led the fifthseeded Buffaloes (23-9).
Portland 3 Region
Duke 72, Richmond 61:
Reigan Richardson had 25 points and seven rounds as the third-seeded Blue Devils (21-11) rallied in the second half to overtake the Spiders.
Virginia Tech 92, Marshall
49: Matilda Ekh scored 21 points for the fourth-seeded Hokies (25-7), who won without
star enter Elizabeth Kitley, who is out for the tournament with a torn ACL.
Ohio State 80, Maine 57:
Jacy Sheldon had 19 points and three others scored in double figures for the secondseeded Buckeyes (26-5).
Baylor 80, Vanderbilt 63:
Bella Fontleroy scored 19 points and had 11 rebounds for the fifth-seeded Bears (257).
Portland 4 Region
Texas 82, Drexel 42: Shaylee Gonzales scored 21 points and Taylor Jones added 18 as the top-seeded Longhorns (31-4) breezed to their 13th win in 14 games.
Alabama 82, Florida State 74: Freshman Essence Cody had season highs of 20 points and 14 rebounds to lead the No. 8 seed Crimson Tide (24-9).
Iowa State 93, Maryland
86: Freshman Audi Crooks scored a career- high 40 points on 18-for-20 shooting to carry the seventh-seeded Cyclones (21-11).