College Sports, Local Sports, National Sports, Sports
March 22, 2026

Women’s NCAA Roundup: Battle’s winner for Minnesota gives shining moment in closest game yet

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Amaya Battle drove toward the lane before dribbling back for more space along the baseline to launch the shot she — and everyone else who has ever picked up a basketball — has long daydreamed about.

First came the swish, immediately followed by the joyful screams.

Then after watching Mississippi’s attempt at a winner hit the front of the rim and fall short, Minnesota unleashed a celebration of the program’s first trip to the Sweet 16 in 21 years with a 65-63 victory in the second round of the women’s NCAA Tournament on Sunday.

“I think any basketball player, when you shoot on your own, you’re like, ‘OK, three, two, one,’ throw it up there and see what happens,” said Battle, who had 14 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. “It was real life today.”

The women’s tournament has otherwise been lacking in upsets and buzzer-beaters, particularly since Clemson’s apparent 3-pointer at the end of regulation in the first round on Saturday didn’t count because of a clock operation error in an eventual overtime loss to Southern California.

Mississippi forward Christeen Iwuala (12) drives toward the basket as Minnesota center Sophie Hart, right, defends during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 22, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP)

AP Photo/Matt Krohn

Battle, the sister of NBA player Jamison Battle, delivered that shining moment for the highlight reels in her final game at Williams Arena. This was the first game of the tournament decided by fewer than three points, with the homecourt advantage that Minnesota made sure to secure well in advance — on the hunch this team could earn a top-16 seed — coming through loud and clear.

“You can’t make this stuff up,” coach Dawn Plitzuweit said.

The No. 4 seed Gophers (24-8), who had a crowd of 10,763 on their side, were more than happy to have their senior point guard on a team with plenty of capable shooters take the crucial final shot.

“We practice it almost every day before every game, so it’s nothing really new. She hits those shots every day in practice over our scout guys,” said Mara Braun, who led the Gophers with 17 points. “Everyone I think knew that it was in.”

Battle landed on her back after the follow-through, sat straight up and hoisted both arms straight up in the air to signal the make as her teammates swarmed her in the corner in front of the bench.

“That’s out of a Disney movie,” Mississippi coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin said.

Not lost in the shuffle of the epic ending was the charge Battle drew on Cotie McMahon with 4:22 left that fouled out the Mississippi star with 15 points on 5-for-6 shooting from the floor.

“That was our best defense, not having her on the court, very honestly,” Plitzuweit said.

Said Battle: “She got a ton of buckets out of me, on us, and it was because she was powering through. I was like, ‘All right, I’m just going to try to fall and see what happens,’ and it worked out.”

McMahon, who won the Southeastern Conference newcomer of the year award after transferring from Ohio State and is widely expected to be a first-round draft pick in the WNBA draft next month, picked up her second foul early in the first quarter and was limited to 21 minutes in the game.

“I was dealt the cards that I was dealt. I just handled it and still tried to make the right plays for my team,” McMahon said.

McPhee-McCuin was a little less diplomatic, expressing her dismay with the officiating on McMahon.

“I just haven’t seen the best players get fouled out,” McPhee-McCuin said. “From my point of view, the last call was incorrect. We watched it 1,500 times. One of the things I do understand is that officials are human and environments create them to officiate in a particular type of way. I don’t think that’s why we lost the game. I just know that Cotie is our leading scorer, newcomer of the year, all of the things, and she plays 20 minutes, and it’s disappointing. These fans deserved more than that. The game deserves more than that.”

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Texas guard Rori Harmon (3) and forward Madison Booker (35) celebrate their win over Oregon in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 22, 2026, in Austin, Texas. (AP)

Booker scores career-high 40 as No. 1 Texas rolls over Oregon

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Madison Booker scored a career-high 40 points in a dazzling display of shot making, and No. 1 Texas rolled past No. 8 Oregon 100-58 Sunday in the second round.

The win sends the Longhorns back to the Sweet 16 for the third consecutive year. Booker’s previous high was 31, set just a few weeks ago against Mississippi in the Southeastern Conference tournament. Texas ran its home win streak to 44.

The Longhorns now head to Fort Worth for the Sweet 16.

Katie Fiso scored 16 to lead Oregon.

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LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson (4) shoots against Texas Tech guard Bailey Maupin (20) during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 22, 2026, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP)

LSU sets record for 100-point games en route to the Sweet 16

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — High-octane LSU is making 100-point games look routine and has set an NCAA women’s Division I record in the process.

LSU’s 101-47 victory over Texas Tech in the second round was the Tigers’ 16th 100-point game this season. That surpasses the old record of 15 that Long Beach State set back in the 1986-87 season.

LSU’s Mikaylah Williams had 24 points in the record-setting game on Sunday and says it’s the dream of a girl who grew up watching women’s college basketball to have her team in the record books. But coach Kim Mulkey says she’ll remember her national titles and the players she coached more than any scoring records.

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Michigan State guard Kennedy Blair, front left, is defended by Oklahoma center Raegan Beers (15) and guard Zya Vann (3) during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 22, 2026, Norman, Okla. (AP)

Beers’ 18 points, 14 boards power Oklahoma past Michigan St.

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Raegan Beers had 18 points and 14 rebounds to help No. 4 seed Oklahoma beat fifth-seeded Michigan State 77-71 on Sunday night in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Aaliyah Chavez added 18 points and six assists for the Sooners (27-7), who advanced to play in the Sweet 16 of March Madness for the second straight year. They’ll play the winner of Monday’s matchup between No. 1 seed South Carolina and No. 9 seed Southern California. Oklahoma defeated South Carolina in overtime during the regular season.

Rashunda Jones scored 20 points, Kennedy Blair had 14 points and nine rebounds and Grace VanSlooten added 13 points and seven rebounds for Michigan State (23-9). The Spartans were trying to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2009.

Michigan State led 42-37 at halftime behind 47.1% shooting. The Spartans held Oklahoma to 38.9% shooting and forced the Sooners into 14 turnovers.

Early in the second half, with Michigan State leading 42-39, Michigan State’s Jalyn Brown was called for a flagrant foul. Chavez made both free throws. Moments later, Beers scored in close, then made a mid-range jumper to put the Sooners up 45-42 and force a Michigan State timeout. The Sooners took a 57-54 lead into the fourth quarter.

Oklahoma started the final period hot. A 3-pointer by Payton Verhulst put the Sooners up 66-58. Michigan State got no closer than three points the rest of the way.

Miles and TCU escape with 62-59 OT win over Washington

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Olivia Miles had a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds while adding some big assists late as third-seeded TCU finally overcame Washington for a 62-59 overtime victory.

That sends the Horned Frogs to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the second year in a row. Clara Silva had 16 points, with the go-ahead layup to start overtime Sunday night after game-tying and tiebreaking baskets late in regulation on passes from Miles. Taylor Bigby scored 15 for 31-5 TCU.

Sayvia Sellers had 18 points for 22-11 Washington, and missed a 3-pointer as time expired in overtime.

Thomas’ 17 propels No. 3 Duke past No. 6 Baylor, 69-46

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Delaney Thomas had 17 points and Toby Fournier scored 13 of her 15 points in the first half, helping No. 3 Duke beat No. 6 Baylor 69-46 on Sunday in the second round.

The Blue Devils will play No. 2 LSU in the Sweet 16 in Sacramento, California, later in the week.

Baylor’s 46 points were a season-low, as the Bears shot only 30.2%, including 0-of-14 from 3-point range. Taliah Scott led the Bears with 13 points.

Olson, Swords lead Michigan into the Sweet 16

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Olivia Olson and Syla Swords started slow against N.C. State. Eventually, Michigan’s star sophomores bounced back with fantastic performances.

Olson had all 27 of her points in the second half and Swords bounced back to score 26 and help the second-seeded Wolverines rout the short-handed Wolfpack 92-63 on Sunday and earn a spot in the women’s Sweet 16.

The Wolverines will play the winner of third-seeded Louisville and sixth-seeded Alabama.

NC advances to 2nd straight women’s Sweet 16

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Elina Aarnisalo had 21 points, Lanie Grant scored 20 and North Carolina used a strong fourth quarter to beat Maryland 74-66 and reach the women’s Sweet 16 for the second year in a row.

Nyla Harris had 14 points and eight rebounds and Indya Nivar added 11 points to help the fourth-seeded Tar Heels advance in the NCAA Tournament Fort Worth 1 Regional on Sunday.

Oluchi Okananwa, who helped eliminate North Carolina last March in the Sweet 16 when she played for Duke, scored 21 points for No. 5 seed Maryland.

North Carolina will play the winner of No. 1 UConn vs. No. 9 Syracuse.

 

 

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