The 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament has commenced, bringing a wave of excitement and intense competition as teams vie for the national title. Here’s a recap of the latest developments:
Columbia’s Historic Victory
The Columbia Lions secured their first-ever NCAA Tournament win by defeating the Washington Huskies 63-60 in a First Four matchup between No. 11 seeds. Key performances from Kitty Henderson and Riley Weiss propelled the Lions to this landmark victory. An innovative strategy involving humorous cardboard signs, inspired by college football, was employed by the coaching staff to enhance on-court communication. This win not only marks Columbia’s inaugural NCAA Tournament triumph but also their first victory over a Big Ten opponent. The Lions now advance to face the sixth-seeded West Virginia Mountaineers. SBNation.com
Stanford’s Early Exit
In a surprising turn, the Stanford Cardinal, a regional No. 1 seed, were eliminated in the first round of the Women’s Basketball Invitational Tournament (WBIT) by the Portland Pilots, with a final score of 69-68 in overtime. Stanford’s offense struggled, particularly in the third quarter, managing only eight points. Nunu Agara, Stanford’s leading scorer, fouled out in the final minute of overtime, which proved detrimental to their chances. Portland’s Emme Shearer secured the win with a crucial free throw in the closing seconds. This defeat concludes a challenging season for Stanford, ending with a 16-15 record. San Francisco Chronicle
UCLA’s Dominant Position
The UCLA Bruins have earned the No. 1 overall seed for the first time in program history, reflecting their exceptional season performance. Junior center Lauren Betts has been instrumental in their success, averaging 20.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game. Betts, who previously had a notable encounter with LSU’s Angel Reese, opted to forego the WNBA draft to pursue NCAA glory alongside her sister, Sienna, who recently joined UCLA. The Bruins are set to face the No. 16 seed Southern Jaguars in their opening match. CBSSports.comtalkSPORT+1CBSSports.com+1
Tournament Overview
The tournament bracket was officially announced on March 16, with 68 teams competing for the championship. Notably, the University of Connecticut (UConn), the most decorated program in women’s basketball with 11 national titles, secured a No. 2 seed. Under the leadership of coach Geno Auriemma, who became the winningest coach in basketball history this season, the Huskies aim to return to prominence after not winning a title since 2016. NCAA.comCBSSports.com