Women's March Madness Day 1: First-round scores, analysis

March 20, 2026, 06:36 pm ET

The first round of the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament is underway as teams look to advance in the bracket.

We’re taking a look at how each team fared on Friday, from upsets to blowouts and big performances.

Here’s ESPN’s guide to all the results from Day 1, including analysis from reporters on how each game was won, and our experts’ take on each winner’s chances to advance to the Sweet 16.

How Texas won: Everyone got a chance to play for the Longhorns, who shot 50% (34 of 68) from the field and 81% (17 of 21) from the foul line. second year guard Jordan Lee Led Texas in scoring with 19 points and the junior forward madison booker Had 14 points and 12 rebounds. Texas defeated Missouri State 49–27 and scored 28 points off the Lady Bears’ 19 turnovers.

Despite missing out on the NCAA Tournament, this postseason was still a huge success for Missouri State. The Lady Bears won the Conference USA Tournament as a No. 6 seed in their first season in the league, defeating top-seeded Louisiana Tech in the final. He then faced Stephen F. Defeated Austin 85-75. Missouri State finished the season 23–13.

How the Longhorns can advance to the Sweet 16: The Longhorns, who have made at least four Elite Eights in the last five years, will face No. 8 seed Oregon in the second round. The Ducks defeated Virginia Tech 70–60 in the first round. You can rest assured that Texas coach Vic Schaefer is focusing on the defensive game plan to limit the Oregon standout guard Katie FisoWho had 22 points on 9 of 12 shooting against the Hokies. — Michael Voppel

How Ole Miss won: Raksha incited the rebels. Gonzaga scored a season-low 37 points entering the fourth quarter, marking the 12th time this season that Ole Miss has held an opponent to fewer than 40 points through the first three periods. The Rebels also had success in the paint and defeated Gonzaga 38–20 to move up to fourth. Four players finished in double figures scoring, led by Latasha Latimore With 15 marks. coty mcmahon 13 added, and Sira Thienau Scored 12 points while also blocking four shots.

How the Rebels can advance to the Sweet 16:

Ole Miss will have to get past No. 4 seed Minnesota or No. 13 seed Green Bay to get back to the Sweet 16. The Rebels reached the regional semifinals a year ago, but this group is a completely different team from last season. The Rebels added eight new players this season, but figured out how to make the transition as seamless as possible. One thing to watch: Although Ole Miss dominated Gonzaga early, the Bulldogs went on a 17-0 run in the fourth quarter to cut the Rebels’ lead to 30 points. The rebels have to keep their foot on the gas. — kendra andrews

How Maryland won: Brenda Freese has lost in the first round only once in her 21 NCAA Tournament appearances as head coach at Maryland. And the only game this season in which the Terrapins scored more points was a double-overtime win over Minnesota.

The Terps took full advantage of their size advantage over the Racers. They dominated the glass 51-21 and turned it into extra offense, scoring 52 points in the paint as well as 33 second-chance points (Murray State had five). Those 33 second-chance points were the most for Maryland in 10 years.

Two different Terps had the highest season: Freshman kindle walker Came off the bench for 20 points, and the senior meir maclean Scored 19 runs. McLean also led the way with 14 rebounds.

How the Terps can advance to the Sweet 16: The defeat in the first round took place in 2023. Otherwise, Maryland has reached the Sweet 16 in every NCAA Tournament through 2021. Freese also has a successful history in the second round. The production from McLean and Walker is a good sign. A lot had fallen on the leading scorer oluchi okanwana And Ozzie-Momodu in this In other games, but there was no help. This was largely responsible for Maryland losing two games before the NCAA Tournament – causing the Terps to lose the ability to host games this weekend. The pair combined for just 13 points on Friday, yet the Terps won comfortably. — charlie cream

How Baylor won: Baylor won the first and fourth quarters; Nebraska won the second and third. But ultimately, the Bears’ 26–15 fourth quarter lead over the Huskers decided the game. talia scottBaylor’s leading scorer, who entered the game averaging 20 ppg, was 3 of 12 from the field, including 0-8 from 3-point range. But she made 9 of 12 free throws and finished with 15 points. Dariana Littlepage-Bugs Had 13 points and 11 rebounds.

foul foul by nebraska jessica petrie The play with 3:48 remaining – initially unnoticed by officials but then confirmed after a challenge by Baylor coach Nikki Collen – proved crucial. The score was tied 53–53, but Scott hit two free throws after flagrant fouls, giving Baylor the lead. Petry then fouled out with 10 points and 3:21 remaining.

Huskers second-year guard brit prince Led all scorers with 27 points, but it was not enough for Nebraska, which finished the season 19–13.

How the Bears can advance to the Sweet 16: The Bears must defeat the No. 3 seed Blue Devils on their home court. Duke has lost only once at Cameron Indoor Stadium this season: to LSU on December 4. But the Bears have already won over the Blue Devils this season: 58-52 in the opener on Nov. 3 in Paris. Expect these teams’ NCAA second-round games to be a similar defensive battle. Last year, Duke made it to the Elite Eight, while Baylor lost to Ole Miss in the second round.– Michael Voppel

How Washington won: After trailing by 10 points in the first five minutes, the Huskies found their rhythm and never looked back. They remained ahead by 24 points in the fourth quarter.

Washington sophomore guard avery howell Became the fifth player in program history to score 30 points in an NCAA Tournament game. Finishing with 30 points (hitting seven 3-pointers) and nine assists, Howell fell one assist short of recording his eighth double-double of the season. She is the first Washington player since Kelsey Plum in 2016 to have 30 points and no turnovers in a game.

The Huskies’ turnaround was historic; Their 14-point halftime lead was their largest in an NCAA Tournament game since 2001. They outscored the Jackrabbits 35–8 in the final 15 minutes of the first half as their defense fueled their offense. state of south dakota brooklyn mayor Finished with 29 points and seven rebounds, and emily fox — the nation’s top 3-pointer shooter — made four 3s, but Washington silenced everyone else.

How the Huskies can advance to the Sweet 16: It was Washington’s first tournament win since 2017, the year the Huskies made the Sweet 16 behind Plum’s 30 points per game. Washington faces No. 3 seed TCU — and a triple-double threat olivia miles –In the second round. The Huskies can’t fall into an early hole like they did against South Dakota State. Washington needs to make sure its defense is progressing quickly. — kendra andrews

How Oregon won: In a rare 8–9 seed mismatch, Oregon won over Virginia Tech in a game that was not as close according to the final score. The Ducks took a 21-point lead in the fourth quarter. Katie FisoOne of only nine players to average more than 15 points and five assists this season, he nearly reached that figure against the Hokies with 22 points and four assists.

In their first NCAA Tournament game under Megan Duffy, the Hokies never looked comfortable and Oregon settled in quickly. After taking an 11-9 lead midway through the first quarter, the Ducks played ahead the rest of the way. Virginia Tech’s momentum quickly ended at the end of the second quarter when Oregon took an 18–0 lead in the third quarter, effectively ending the game. Fees and ehis etute Those combined for 10 points. Etute had 11 points and 11 rebounds, and mia jacobs Had 13 points, making 3 of 4 3-pointers.

How the Ducks can advance to the Sweet 16: The Ducks, who defeated Maryland in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament, have now won three of their last four games, their best since winning four in a row in late January. When Oregon beat Maryland in Indianapolis, Michigan was up next – and the Wolverines handed the Ducks a 22-point loss. Oregon’s likely next opponent, Texas, poses an even greater challenge.

It was also the 23rd win of the season for the Ducks, making it their most successful campaign since Sabrina Ionescu’s senior year in 2020, when the NCAA Tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. — Charlie Cream

How TCU won: Like most seasons, olivia miles TCU’s win over UC San Diego leads to promotion. She was behind her 19.6 ppg average, but Miles still dominated and recorded a triple-double with 12 points, 16 rebounds and 14 assists. She became the third player to record multiple triple-doubles in the NCAA tournament, joining Oregon’s Sabrina Ionescu and Stanford’s Nicole Powell. The Horned Frogs went 14-of-20 on Miles’ passes for 36 points, the most points scored by a player on passes in an NCAA Tournament game since 2021.

TCU jumped out to an early lead, 15–4, and were not threatened by the Tritons, who shot only 23.0% from the field.

With Miles doing most of the setting, three other Horned Frogs finished in double figures, led by the senior taylor bigby27 points on 7-of-9 3-point shooting. clara silva there were 13 points and marta suarez All 11 were in the first half.

How the Horned Frogs can advance to the Sweet 16: The Horned Frogs scored only 53 points in the Big 12 Tournament championship game against West Virginia. TCU scored 48 in the first half against UC San Diego, erasing its second-lowest offensive output of the season. The Tritons certainly aren’t the Mountaineers, but aggressive play like this helps restore TCU’s confidence. The pick-and-roll offense looked sharp again as the Horned Frogs recorded 23 assists on their 32 field goals. The 13 3-pointers on 26 attempts were the most for TCU since the beginning of December. Keeping his shooting stroke will be important against Georgia or South Dakota State in the second round. — Charlie Cream

How Duke won: Duke set the tone early by making it difficult for Charleston to get into any rhythm offensively. The Cougars shot only 19% in the first half and fell behind 45–26. But in the second half, Charleston defeated Duke 38–36. At one point, Duke coach Kara Lawson threw her dry erase board in frustration because the Blue Devils were not playing with the accuracy she knew they would need for the rest of the tournament.

That said, a lot of credit should go to the Charleston junior guard taryn barbotCoastal Athletic Association Player of the Year. He had 36 points, his fourth 30-plus game this season and the 10th of his career. That’s the most points the Blue Devils have given up to any player this season – and they’ve played a tough schedule.

Ultimately, the ACC champion Blue Devils had much of their own offense, led by second-year forward toby fournier24 points on 11-of-18 shooting. Delaney Thomas had 19 points and jordan wood Came off the bench on 17 runs.

How the Blue Devils can advance to the Sweet 16: The Blue Devils’ defense has been one of the best in the country and it showed more in the first half than the second half on Friday. This is something Duke needs to be more consistent about in the second round. The Blue Devils moved the ball well with 25 assists, but part of Lawson’s irritation were turnovers, as Duke had 20. The Blue Devils won the rebounding battle 47-39, but Lawson wants more dominance in that category, too. –Michael Voepel