Friday’s convention event schedules noticed the favorites take the court docket in ACC, SEC, Huge Ten and Huge 12. And whereas all of the top-seeded groups prevailed, none loved a completely simple afternoon. Right here’s what occurred throughout the Energy 4 convention tournaments on an action-filled Friday:
Cardiac Pack survive quarterfinal thriller in ACC Event
Within the ACC, No. 1-seed NC State skilled essentially the most severe scare towards No. 9-seed Georgia Tech, escaping 73-72 on account of two free throws from Aziaha James with seven seconds remaining.
Down by as many as 9 factors within the first quarter, the Wolfpack lastly took their first lead simply two minutes earlier than halftime, coming into the break up by two factors. The second half was a nip-and-tuck affair, with no workforce taking a lead bigger than 4 factors within the remaining body. After James hit what would grow to be the game-winning free throws, the Yellow Jackets had a remaining likelihood, however, out of timeouts, they did not get off a shot, permitting the Wolfpack hold dancing. James led NC State with 16 factors, whereas Zoe Brooks, just lately named the ACC Most Improved Participant, added 14 factors, 9 boards and 4 assists. Tonie Morgan and Kara Dunn turned in matching 21-point efforts for Georgia Tech. ACC Sixth Participant of the 12 months Dani Carnegie had 12 factors from off the bench.
NC State subsequent meets No. 5-seed UNC (12 p.m. ET, ESPN2), which topped No. 4-seed Florida State, 60-56, in a recreation the place late free throws once more proved essential. After the groups traded buckets and free throws down the stretch, Lanie Grant made the ultimate two that sealed the four-point win for the Tar Heels. Alyssa Ustby, enjoying in her second recreation since getting back from an damage that sidelined her for the top of the common season, captained UNC with 12 factors and an unimaginable 18 rebounds, serving to the Tar Heels set up a 53-40 benefit on the boards. North Carolina additionally held the nation’s main scorer in verify, as Ta’Niya Latson completed with 13 factors on 3-for-14 capturing.
No. 2-seed Notre Dame survived a tricky check from No. 9-seed Cal, 73-64, powered by 25 factors from Hannah Hidalgo. Swish Enchantment’s Stephanie Kaloi supplied an on-the-ground account of Hidalgo’s affect. The Combating Irish will play No. 3-seed Duke on Saturday (2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2), because the the Blue Devils took care of No. 6-seed Louisville, 61-48.
Profession day from Kitts keys South Carolina in SEC Event
The SEC’s No. 1 seed, South Carolina, received with out as a lot drama, though a second-half surge from No. 8-seed Vanderbilt made issues extra fascinating than head coach Daybreak Staley would have most popular. Up 48-23 on the half, the Gamecocks allowed a 25-point third quarter from the Commodores, with Vandy chopping the margin to as few as 5 factors, 68-63, halfway via the fourth.
Nonetheless, the Commodores wouldn’t rating once more, with the Gamecocks ending the sport on a 16-0 run. Chloe Kitts was answerable for 9 of these factors, together with the primary seven that gave South Carolina the required separation. Kitts tallied a 25-point and 10-rebound double-double, extending her current run of star-caliber play, whereas MiLaysia Fulwiley, the SEC Sixth Participant of the 12 months, added 15 factors. SEC Freshman of the 12 months Mikayla Blakes had a team-high 20 factors for the Commodores.
South Carolina will get No. 5-seed Oklahoma on Saturday (4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2), because the Sooners, down by as many as 10 factors within the second half, got here again to beat No. 4-seed Kentucky, 69-65. Having claimed the lead within the remaining two minutes of the third quarter, Oklahoma largely maintained a slight edge all through the fourth, regardless of Georgia Amoore’s 29-point afternoon for Kentucky. (Not as dangerous because the 43 factors that the SEC Newcomer of the 12 months dropped on the Sooners throughout their regular-season matchup.) Raegan Beers, who did most of her harm within the first half, led the Sooners with a double-double of 20 factors and 11 rebounds, whereas Payton Verhulst, who got here up huge down the stretch, added 16 factors. Clara Strack contributed a 12-point and 16-rebound double-double for the Wildcats, though the SEC Defensive Participant of the 12 months didn’t block a shot.
After a third-quarter scoring drought by No. 7-seed Ole Miss, No. 2-seed Texas appeared poised to cruise to a win of their quarterfinal. As a substitute, the Longhorns couldn’t put the sport away and the Rebels charged again till late within the fourth quarter, when Texas lastly pulled away for a 70-63 win. SEC Participant of the 12 months Madison Booker led the Longhorns with 19 factors and 7 boards, whereas KK Deans scored 20 factors for the Rebels. Texas now takes on No. 3-seed LSU on Saturday (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2). The Tigers dropped 101 factors on No. 11-seed Florida, ending the Gators’ desires of a Cinderella run. Aneesah Morrow put up a monster double-double of 36 factors and 14 rebounds for a Tiger workforce that not solely was with out Flau’jae Johnson, but in addition head coach Kim Mulkey, who’s away from the workforce due the surprising demise of a member of the family.
JuJu was ballin’ within the Huge Ten Event
USC, the Huge Ten’s No. 1 seed, required a 30-ball (plus one) from Huge Ten Participant of the 12 months JuJu Watkins to carry off No. 9-seed Indiana, 84-79. It took till halfway via the fourth quarter for the Trojans to stretch their result in a snug margin. Watkins formally completed with a 31-point and 10-rebound double-double, with Kiki Iriafen scoring a 21-point and 10-rebound double-double of her personal.
No. 5-seed Michigan is subsequent on the menu for USC (3 p.m. ET, BTN), because the Wolverines cruised towards No. 4-seed Maryland, taking a 27-6 first-quarter lead and by no means wanting again.
Within the day’s most fun recreation at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, No. 11-seed Iowa almost sparked a Cinderella run, taking a 59-58 lead on No. 3-seed Ohio State after back-to-back 3-pointers with simply over a minute left within the recreation. Fouled with six seconds remaining, Cotie McMahon sunk a pair of clutch free throws, permitting the Buckeyes to outlive, 60-59. They’ve acquired No. 2-seed UCLA subsequent (5:30 p.m. ET, BTN). The Bruins, after establishing a 10-point lead on the finish of the primary quarter, allowed No. 10-seed Nebraska again into the sport earlier than ultimately re-taking a double-digit lead within the remaining minutes of the third quarter and profitable 85-74. Lauren Betts was in unstoppable kind for the victors, incomes a 28-point and 13-rebound double-double. The Huge Ten Defensive Participant of the 12 months additionally rejected seven pictures.
HVL, JJ steer squads to victory in Huge 12 Event
Hailey Van Lith, the Huge 12 Participant of the 12 months, helped No. 1-seed TCU hold on towards a cussed No. 9 seed in Colorado, 69-62. Van Lith scored 24 factors, powered by 5 3-pointers. For No. 4-seed West Virginia, back-to-back Huge 12 Defensive Participant of the 12 months JJ Quinerly continued her current scoring spree, along with her game-high 24 factors pushing the Mountaineers previous No. 5-seed Kansas State, 73-69. The Horned Frogs and Mountaineers now meet on Saturday (4 p.m. ET, ESPN+).
No. 2-seed Baylor and No. 3-seed Oklahoma State additionally will face off on Saturday (6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+). Regardless of 32 factors from Audi Crooks for No. 7-seed Iowa State, the Bears acquired the 69-63 win over the Cyclones. Stailee Heard dropped 34 factors, fueled by 17 made free throws, for the Cowgirls in a too-close-for-comfort 62-59 win over No. 14-seed Texas Tech. The Crimson Raiders missed a shot on the buzzer that will have despatched the sport into extra time.
