NCCAW: No. 10-seed UVA gives the tournament a Cinderella

On Monday, March Madness was in full swing.

No. 10-seed Virginia pulled off the biggest of the NCAA Tournament, beating No. 2-seed Iowa in a double-overtime thriller, while No. 3-seed Louisville avoided disaster, taking down No. 6-seed Alabama.

Meanwhile, the top teams reminded us why they are No. 1 seeds.

Virginia claims Cinderella status with 2OT upset of Iowa

Iowa narrowly escaped the first round, barely beating No. 15-seed Fairleigh Dickinson. It was clear that if the backcourt didn’t produce more, they would have a short time in the tourney.

Well, Chit-Chat Wright did step up, scoring 21 points for the Hawkeyes, but it wasn’t enough as Virginia took them down, 83-75. Although it took two overtimes, the Cavaliers are the first First Four team to advance to the Sweet 16.

UVA pulled off the upset by overcoming a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Kymora Johnson was huge in the comeback knocking down a late 3 and free throws during the closing seconds of regulation.

In the extra periods, Johnson stayed aggressive and willed Virginia to victory. She had 28 points in the win. Paris Clark was also instrumental, scoring 20 points. Now, the Cavaliers will keep dancing and return to the Sweet Sixteen for only the second time this century.

For Iowa, Ava Heiden scored a team-high 26 points, and Hannah Stuelke had a double-double, 15 points and 19 rebounds.

Louisville survives Alabama

While Iowa couldn’t avoid an early tournament exit, Louisville escaped that fate, beating Alabama 69-68.

The Crimson Tide pushed the Cardinals to the brink, jumping in front thanks to a Karly Weathers basket midway through the fourth quarter. However, Louisville responded with a Elif Istanbulluoglu 3 and a free throw make by Mackenly Randolph to regain the lead.

Alabama tied the contest up at 61, but then Louisville went on a 6-0 run. After that, they were able to get stops, milk the clock and hang on.

Istanbulluoglu and Tajianna Roberts led the Cardinals in scoring with 18 each. For Alabama, Diana Collins scored 14, and Ace Austin had a huge performance, scoring a team-high 17 off the bench. In fact, she was the only reserve for the Crimson Tide to score. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to keep their season alive.

Notre Dame dances back to the Sweet 16, and so does Kentucky

There were a few other upsets on Monday. No. 6-seed Notre Dame beat No. 3-seed Ohio State, 83-73.

Hannah Hidalgo scored 26 for the Fighting Irish in the win. The best individual game, however, came from the Buckeyes’ side. Jaloni Cambridge scored 41 points in the loss. She was single-handedly keeping Ohio State in the game as the only player in double figures.

No. 5-seed Kentucky beat No. 4-seed West Virginia, 74-73. The Mountaineers had a chance to win the game late, but Gia Cooke missed the potential game-winner in the closing seconds.

Cooke and Sydney Shaw both scored 23 for West Virginia, while Teonni Key and Clara Strack notched double-doubles for the Wildcats. Key had 19 points and 10 boards, with Strack posting 18 points and 15 rebounds, plus four blocks.

No. 1-seed seniors enjoyed perfect send offs to the Sweet 16

So far, the committee has been proven right with their No. 1 seeds. On Monday, UCLA, UConn, and South Carolina all cruised to victory, with the smallest margin of victory being 19 points.

The Huskies were the most dominant, beating No. 9-seed Syracuse, 98-45.

The contest was over almost immediately as UConn jumped in front 20-6 midway through the first quarter. Things only got worse for Syracuse from this point forward, as they managed just 12 total points in the first half. One doesn’t have to be a basketball expert to know a 53-point comeback wasn’t going to happen in the second half.

This entire game was a great showcase for Azzi Fudd, playing her last game in Gampel Pavilion. She obliterated Syracuse, knocking down eight 3s, only missing five shots and ending the night with 34 points.

Sarah Strong had a solid game with 18 points and nine rebounds, and Blanca Quiñonez went 7-for-9 from the field, scoring 18 off the bench.

While this ending was disappointing for Syracuse, it is expected. UConn is undefeated and playing the best basketball in the country.

South Carolina ended No. 9-seed USC’s tournament, winning 101-61.

Jazzy Davidson was a superstar for the Trojans in the opening round, but on Monday, she struggled from the field, going 5-for-15. She ended the night with 15 points. Londynn Jones had one of her better games of the year, scoring 20 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome USC’s slow start. They scored just eight points in the first quarter.

South Carolina had a balanced attack with six players scoring in double figures. Joyce Edwards had a game-high with 23 points, and Madina Okot had 15 points and 15 rebounds in the win.

Given that the Gamecocks also were playing on their home floor for the final time this season, the victory was an opportunity to celebrate Raven Johnson one last time in Colonial Life Arena, and they took advantage of that opportunity, giving her a standing ovation.

UCLA never allowed No. 8-seed Oklahoma State to even think they were in this one. They won 87-68 and jumped out in front immediately, just like the other No. 1 seeds did on Monday.

Lauren Betts proved why she is a National Player of the Year candidate, scoring 35 points along with nine rebounds and five assists in her final appearance in Pauley Pavilion. Gianna Kneepkens scored 15 points, including three 3s.

Achol Akot had a strong game for the Cowgirls, scoring 23, but Oklahoma State just couldn’t score enough to keep up with UCLA.