NCAA women's bracket scores, results, highlights from 2024 March Madness games (March 22) | Sporting News (2024)

The opening round of March Madness is finally here. Will it be full of blowouts or bracket busters? Stay tuned.

Friday, the first day of the first round, will feature games with No. 1 seeds South Carolina and Texas. While those are unlikely to result in upsets, there's plenty more to keep an eye on. It wouldn't be March without a little drama, after all.

MORE: Watch women's March Madness games live with Sling

It's a full day of basketball. What could be better? North Carolina and Michigan State kick things off at 11:30 a.m. ET, and Nebraska and Texas A&M wrap it up with a 10:30 p.m. ET tipoff.

Even if your team isn't playing on Friday, there's a handful of star players to watch, such as Ohio State's Jacy Sheldon, Texas's Madison Booker, Stanford's Cameron Brink, and, of course, LSU's Angel Reese.

Let's dance.

The Sporting News is tracking live scores, results, and highlights from Friday's first-round games in the women's NCAA tournament.

WOMEN'S MARCH MADNESS HQ
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Women's NCAA live bracket scores

Round 1

Friday, March 22

• (8) NorthCarolina 59,(9) Michigan State 56
• (2) Ohio State 80,(15) Maine 57
• (11) MiddleTennessee 71, (6) Louisville 69
• (1) South Carolina 91,(16) Presbyterian 39
• (7) Duke 72,(10) Richmond 61
• (1) Texas 82,(16) Drexel 42
• (4) Virginia Tech 92, (13) Marshall 49
• (3) LSU 70, (14) Rice 60
• (4) Kansas State 78,(13) Portland 65
• (8) Alabama 82,(9) Florida State 74
• (5) Baylor 80,(12) Vanderbilt 63
• (5) Colorado 86,(12) Drake 72
• (7) Iowa State 93,(10) Maryland 86
• (3) Oregon State 73,(14) Eastern Washington 51
• (2) Stanford 79,(15) Norfolk State 50
• (6) Nebraska 61,(11) Texas A&M 59

Women's March Madness results, highlights from today's games

(8) North Carolina vs. (9) Michigan State

1:50 p.m.:North Carolina advances! Sparty made a spirited comeback attempt in the final quarter, nearly overcoming their nine-point deficit. However, the Tar Heels, led by the efficiency of Gakdeng, held on (just about), conquering their opposition, 59-56.

1:20 p.m.:Defense wins championships. If the third quarter was any indication, both the Tar Heels and Spartans could be in good fettle to make a run. The two sides combined for 17 points, unable to find space and time amid a steady pour of defenders. Offensive struggles are a regular part of March Madness. Whichever team can find its rhythm in the final frame seems likely to capture this one.

12:30 p.m.:MSU making things a little more interesting in the second. The Spartans' defense has looked far more imposing, holding the Tar Heels to precious few good looks...and even fewer baskets.

12:00 p.m.:UNC starts off the game the better of the two sides, racing out to a 23-10 lead at the end of the first quarter. Forward Maria Gakdeng has shown her might inside the paint, outlasting a weary Spartans defense.

(2) Ohio State vs. (15) Maine

1:45 p.m.:Straight domination by Ohio State, who looked far better than Maine as the game wore on. The Buckeyes cruised to a victory over the Brown Bears, 80-57.

1:00 p.m.:Well, that was quick...Ohio State found a new level in the second, outpointing Maine 21-8 to turn its slight lead into a gaping edge. Sheldon is making her mark with the lights at their brightest. And it could propel OSU into the Round of 32.

12:30 p.m.:The first quarter has been far more competitive than may have been expected, with Maine's Anne Simon going back-and-forth with Buckeyes' stars Jacy Sheldon and Cotie McMahon. The Bucks are out in front at present, 22-16. But the Black Bears aren't too far away.

(6) Louisville vs. (11) MTSU

3:30 p.m:Middle Tennessee does it! The Blue Raiders vanquish the heavily favored Cardinals to punch their ticket to the Round of 32, their first appearance in the second round since 2007!

3:15 p.m.:It seems every Louisville flourish is being batted away by MTSU. The Blue Raiders continue to find the target from deep, especially sharp-shooting duo Jalynn Gregory and Savannah Wheeler. They retain a slight lead over the Cards as the game approaches its final moment.s

3:00 p.m.:The Blue Raiders have put on a scintillating display under the bright March Madness lights. As a result, they find themselves on the brink of a momentous upset victory over their red-specked opposition. After falling behind early, MTSU has raced back into this one. The Raiders now lead the Cards 57-54 with four minutes left.

2:00 p.m.:MTSU had an impressive regular-season campaign. But it seems the Blue Raiders may have met their match in the Cardinals, who have opened up a 15-point edge on the back of efficient play by Louisville forward Olivia Cochran. Still plenty of time left, admittedly. But things aren't looking to promising for those of a blue persuasion.

(1) South Carolina vs. (16) Presbyterian

3:55 p.m.:USC rolls, conquering their less talented opposition, 91-39 on Friday.

3:45 p.m.:The dominance continues for the Gameco*cks. They have held Presbyterian to a total of 0 points in the fourth quarter, putting the finishing touches on what likely will be a 50+-point victory over their weary opposition.

3:15 p.m.:It's home-cooking for South Carolina early, with Kamilla Cardoso and Chloe Kitts providing a formidable tandem for the unbeaten Gameco*cks. It's looking like an absolute mauling at present, with USC racing out to a 23-point lead come halftime.

(7) Duke vs. (10) Richmond

4:30 p.m.:Duke holds on to win! Reigan Richardson led the way with 25 points and seven rebounds to lead the Blue Devils to a 72-61 win over Richmond.

3:50 p.m.:Another tight one taking shape, this time in Durham. Richmond is trying to unleash its inner MTSU, holding firm with the Dookies as we prep for the fourth frame. The Spiders currently trail by four against the Blue Devil. The fourth quarter should be an enthralling affair.

(1) Texas vs. (16) Drexel

5:00 p.m.:The No. 1 seed handled business with ease as Texas defeated Drexel 82-42. The Longhorns' 34-point third quarter blew the game open.

3:45 p.m.:The Longhorns have looked every bit like a number-one seed, pouncing the Lions with fundamentally sound scoring inside the paint and defensive versatility. They lead Drexel 40-20 at the halfway point of today's contest.

(4) Virginia Tech vs. (13) Marshall

6:00 p.m.:Virginia Tech got out to a commanding lead over Marshall in the first half but the third quarter decided the outcome. The Hokies outscored the Herd 36-9 out of halftime to come away with a 92-49 victory.

(3) LSU vs. (14) Rice

6:30 p.m.:Angel Reese's 10-point, 19-rebound double-double charged LSU past Rice, 70-60.

LSU ROLLS ONTO TO ROUND ✌️ @LSUwbkb tops Rice, 70-60, to move onto the Round of 32! #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/WrhUjS3ngC

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) March 22, 2024

(4) Kansas State vs. (13) Portland

7:00 p.m.:Portland's slow start crushed its chances of hanging with Kansas State. The Wildcats got out to a 25-10 start over the Pilots but hung tight after that. Kansas State pulled away with a 78-65 win behind 22 points from Gabby Gregory.

.@gabbygregory12 is a bucket 🎯#MarchMadness x 🎥 ESPNews / @KStateWBB pic.twitter.com/ayDRZeSPjC

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) March 22, 2024

(8) Alabama vs. (9) Florida State

8:00 p.m.:In one of the best games of the day, Alabama edged Florida State 82-74 behind 20 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks from freshman standout Essence Cody.

(5) Baylor vs. (12) Vanderbilt

8:40 p.m.:Baylor and Vanderbilt were in a battle through the first half but the Bears pulled away in the second half for an 80-63 victory. Bella Fontelroy finished with a team-high 19 points and 11 rebounds.

(5) Colorado vs. (12) Drake

9:20 p.m.:Colorado only led Drake by five points at the half but a 25-12 third quarter put the Buffaloes ahead for good. Colorado defeated Drake 86-72 as Aaronette Vonleh finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

The Buffs are heating up🔥

Up by 16 points in the third.#MarchMadness x 🎥 ESPNews / @CubuffsWBB pic.twitter.com/ncFRLyBQOv

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) March 23, 2024

(7) Iowa State vs. (10) Maryland

9:30 p.m.:What a comeback from Iowa State! Freshman center Audi Crooks had a historic night, going for 40 points and 12 rebounds in the win.

HAVE A DAY, @AudiCrooks‼️🔥#MarchMadness x 🎥 ESPN2 / @CycloneWBB pic.twitter.com/o5qpSxNcsC

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) March 23, 2024

9:00 p.m.:Maryland jumped out to an early 13-point lead after the first quarter and led by 16 at the half, but Iowa State came charging back in the third quarter. We're tied heading into the fourth quarter.

(3) Oregon State vs. (14) Eastern Washington

10 p.m.:Oregon State cruised to a win, defeating Eastern Washington 73-51 behind 19 points and nine rebounds from Raegan Beers.

9:30 p.m.:Oregon State responded from a slow first quarter to outscore Eastern Washington 24-9 in the second frame. The Beavers lead 39-27 at the half.

(2) Stanford vs. (15) Norfolk State

12:30 a.m.:It was never a doubt for Stanford, who defeated Norfolk State 79-50 behind 17 points, 15 rebounds and six blocks from Cameron Brink.

. @cameronbrink22 🤯#MarchMadness x 🎥 ESPN2 / @StanfordWBB pic.twitter.com/PEBBiE62rZ

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) March 23, 2024

(6) Nebraska vs. (11) Texas A&M

12:50 a.m.:Nebraska wins a tight one over Texas A&M! Logan Nissley made a pair of free throws with 15 seconds remaining to put the Cornhuskers out in front for a 61-59 win.

Women's March Madness schedule 2024

First Four

Wednesday, March 20

Thursday, March 21

First Round

Friday, March 22

Saturday, March 23

Second Round

Sunday, March 24

Monday, March 25

Sweet 16

Friday, March 29

Saturday, March 30

Elite Eight

Sunday, March 31

Monday, April 1

Final Four

Friday, April 5

National championship

Sunday, April 7