NCAA Women's Tournament Capsules
Syracuse advanced to its first Sweet 16 in the women's NCAA Tournament in eight appearances. The Orange beat Albany, which couldn't pull over another upset after knocking out Florida in its first-ever tournament win.
And after a disappointing regular season, Tennessee was seeded seventh, the lowest ever for the proud program. But it didn't stop the Lady Vols from moving on to the round of 16.
A glance at those moving on:
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BRIDGEPORT REGIONAL
NO. 5 MISSISSIPPI STATE 74, NO. 4 MICHIGAN STATE 72
STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) - Victoria Vivians scored 24 points and Breanna Richardson hit a crucial 3-pointer with 34 seconds remaining to lead Mississippi State over Michigan State.
Richardson's 3-pointer gave Mississippi State a 72-69 lead. Michigan State's Branndais Agee was fouled while shooting a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession, but could only convert one of the free throws.
Mississippi State (28-7) led 51-38 early in the third quarter, but Michigan State responded with the next 14 points to take a 52-51 advantage going into the fourth. Streaking top-seed UConn could be up next as the Huskies play tournament newcomer Duquesne on Monday for a spot in the Sweet 16.
Mississippi State fought back and the two teams traded the lead down the stretch with several dramatic baskets.
Michigan State (25-9) was led by Agee's 21 points.
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SIOUX FALLS REGIONAL
NO. 1 SOUTH CAROLINA 73, NO. 9 KANSAS STATE 47
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Tiffany Mitchell scored 16 of her 20 points in the first two quarters as South Carolina opened a big lead and breezed into the Sweet 16.
The Gamecocks (33-1) romped through their first two NCAA Tournament games, defeating Jacksonville by 36 points before routing the Wildcats (19-13) on the way to their fourth round of 16 in the past five seasons. South Carolina, though, is looking for much more and showed the inside strength and defense that might help achieve their national championship goal.
The Gamecocks will face No. 4 seed Syracuse (27-7) on Friday.
Breanna Lewis had 21 points to lead the Wildcats.
NO. 4 SYRACUSE 79, NO. 12 ALBANY 59
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) - Brittney Sykes scored nine of her 24 points during a third-quarter surge in leading Syracuse to a win over Albany.
Fourth-seeded Syracuse (27-7) advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time in eight tournament appearances and also set a school record for victories. Alexis Peterson scored 22 for the Orange.
The Great Danes (28-5) were unable to pull off a second consecutive upset after they rallied from 11 points in the fourth quarter to knock off Florida on Friday. Shereesha Richards scored 23 points to close her record-breaking career at Albany, where the three-time America East player of the year became the program's first Division I All-American and career leading scorer.
NO. 3 OHIO STATE 88, NO. 6 WEST VIRGINIA 81
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Kelsey Mitchell scored 45 points to help Ohio State beat West Virginia.
Mitchell, constantly battered by a West Virginia team determined to slow her down, made five 3-pointers and also was 18 for 22 from the foul line as the Ohio State moved to the Sweet 16 round for the eighth time. The 45 points was the fourth highest total ever in NCAA play.
Forward Shayla Cooper added 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Buckeyes, who will play Tennessee on Friday.
Despite Mitchell taking charge, the determined - and larger - Mountaineers kept it from getting out of hand, out-rebounding the Buckeyes 46-37 and scoring 36 of their points in the paint. Bria Holmes led West Virginia with 21 points.
NO. 7 TENNESSEE, NO. 2 ARIZONA STATE
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - Diamond DeShields scored 24 points, Mercedes Russell added 12 and Tennessee completed its improbable run to the Sweet 16.
Inconsistent all season, the Lady Vols (21-13) played like a national power not the No. 7 seed, controlling the paint to reach the Sweet 16 for the 34th time in 35 seasons. They've never lost in the second round.
Tennessee shot 52 percent and outscored Arizona State 42-27 inside.
Russell scored all 12 of her points in the first half and DeShields, who struggled in the NCAA opener, helped keep the Sun Devils at bay with some big shots in the fourth quarter.
Arizona State (26-7) struggled against Tennessee's length on the defensive end.
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DALLAS REGIONAL
NO. 1 BAYLOR 84, NO. 9 AUBURN 52
WACO, Texas (AP) - Nina Davis scored 30 points as Baylor women advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the eighth year in a row.
The Lady Bears (35-1) never trailed. Alexis Jones and freshman post Kalani Brown both had 16 points, while senior point guard Niya Johnson had 10 assists in her last home game.
Baylor has a 22-game winning streak and advanced to play Saturday against Texas A&M or Florida State.
Brandy Montgomery had 14 points for Auburn (20-13), which was the last unranked opponent to beat the Lady Bears on their home court. That was 13 years ago in the WNIT final.
NO. 6 DEPAUL 73, NO. 3 LOUISVILLE 72
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Jessica January scored 18 of her season-high 25 points in the first half and DePaul held off Louisville.
The junior guard's final point was the decisive margin as she made the second of two free throws with 14.5 seconds left. She also had a team-high eight rebounds and five assists.
DePaul (27-8) now heads to its third Sweet 16 since 2011 and fourth in coach Doug Bruno's 30-year tenure. The Blue Demons will face No. 2 seed Oregon State.
Louisville (26-8) trailed by 10 with 8:36 to play but fought back to tie the game at 69 with 2:51 remaining.
Briahanna Jackson led the Cardinals with scored 20 points, 16 in the second half. Her reverse layup again tied the game at 72 with 15 seconds left.
NO. 2 OREGON STATE 69, NO. 10 ST. BONAVENTURE 40
CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) - Jamie Weisner broke out of a slump and scored 23 points as Oregon State took control after halftime to beat St. Bonaventure.
Sydney Wiese added eight points, six rebounds and six assists, Ruth Hamblin had 16 rebounds and Deven Hunter scored 11 points for the Beavers (29-4).
Miranda Drummond scored 12 points and Katie Healy had eight points and six rebounds for the Bonnies (23-8).
For the game, the Beavers shot 42 percent, compared to 25.5 percent for St. Bonaventure, and also outrebounded the Bonnies 48-33.