The Big 12 Conference showcased their prowess on Friday, as all three of their teams emerged victorious in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Tournament. This strong start sets the stage for what could be an exciting run for these teams.
TCU 86, UC San Diego 40
TCU, playing on their home turf thanks to a Top 16 seed, made easy work of UC San Diego. The Horned Frogs, now 30-5, were led by guard Olivia Miles, who delivered a spectacular performance with a triple-double.
Her 12 points, 14 assists, and 16 rebounds set a new NCAA Tournament record for rebounds and assists in a game, and she also broke TCU’s single-game assist record. Taylor Bigby was on fire, scoring a career-high 27 points, including five from beyond the arc.
Clara Silva and Marta Suarez each contributed double-doubles, further solidifying TCU's dominance. Next up, TCU faces No. 6 seed Washington on Sunday, aiming for a repeat trip to the Sweet 16 after last year’s Elite Eight appearance.
Baylor 67, Nebraska 62
Baylor needed a strong fourth quarter to pull away from Nebraska in Durham, NC. Outscoring their opponents 26-15 in the final period, the Bears secured their spot in the second round for the 22nd consecutive year.
They’ll face No. 3 seed Duke on Sunday, a rematch from their season opener in Paris. Taliah Scott led Baylor with 15 points, making the most of her opportunities at the free-throw line.
Darianna Littlepage-Buggs added her 14th double-double of the season, while Jana Van Gytenbeek and Bella Fontleroy also contributed significantly to the win.
Texas Tech 57, Villanova 52
The Lady Raiders, seeded seventh, edged out Villanova in a nail-biter, marking a significant milestone for Texas Tech. This victory was their first in March Madness since 2005.
Bailey Maupin was clutch in the final moments, scoring the last seven points for Texas Tech, including crucial free throws. Denae Fritz chipped in with 13 points, helping to fend off a late Villanova rally.
Texas Tech now prepares to take on No. 2 seed LSU, led by former Baylor coach Kim Mulkey, on Sunday.
Upcoming Big 12 Women’s NCAA Tournament First Round Games (Central Time)
- No. 13 Miami (OH) at No.
4 West Virginia, 4 p.m., ESPNU
- No.
9 Syracuse vs. No.
8 Iowa State, 4:30 p.m., ESPN2 (Storrs, CT)
- No.
9 Princeton vs. No.
8 Oklahoma State, 6:30 p.m., ESPN2 (Los Angeles, CA)
- No.
10 Colorado vs. No.
7 Illinois, 8:30 p.m., ESPN2 (Nashville, TN)
With the first round wrapping up on Saturday, the Big 12 is poised for more action. Keep an eye on these matchups as the conference looks to continue its strong showing in the tournament.