NCAAB Championship: Standout performers from the women's last 16

bet365 News Team Updated: Oct 03 2023 13:56 Published: Mar 26 2023 11:30

The women's NCAAB Championship is down to the final eight, with some surprise teams making the cut after a couple of third-round shocks.

However, South Carolina's relentless march towards a national title still hasn't been stopped and they're just one game away from booking a place in the last four.

Below is a look at the biggest moments and standout performances from the women's last-16 clashes.

South Carolina still can't be stopped

Overall 1-seed South Carolina Women remain the odds-on favourite to claim a third national title after brushing aside UCLA 59-43 on Saturday night.

South Carolina have now won all 35 games they've played so far this season.

They're now on to the Greenville 1 regional final after a comfortable path to date. That 16-point margin over 4-seed UCLA was their narrowest win of the tournament so far.

As should be expected of a team who haven't dropped a game all year, depth is a key strength. While South Carolina didn't have a player post more than 10 points in their latest victory, three players hit double figures and 11 players got in on the scoring.

Defensively they shipped just 15 first-half points to a UCLA program which racked up 82 points in their second-round win over 5-seed Oklahoma. It was an impressive team display from a group who haven't missed a step all season. However, their biggest test yet is right around the corner.

Maryland are the 2-seed in the Greenville 1 regional and they booked a clash with South Carolina after a 76-59 win over Notre Dame.

Guards Shyanne Sellers and Diamond Miller combined for 36 points in the victory.

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Double dream ended in Connecticut

Connecticut failed to make the last four of this tournament for the first time since 2007 after a 73-61 loss to Ohio State. This is their earliest exit since 2005, while it ended dreams of UConn taking home both NCAAB Championship trophies.

The men's side were made favourites following a string of upsets, but UConn came into this tournament well-placed as the 2-seed in the Seattle 3 regional. However, it's 3-seed Ohio State who head into the regional final.

Cotie McMahon racked up 23 points and nine rebounds in the victory as Ohio State returned to the last eight for the first time in 20 years.

However, their chance of matching that 1993 national title comes down to a clash with one of the two remaining 1-seeds. Virginia Tech joined South Carolina as the two remaining top seeds with a 73-64 win over Tennessee, setting up a close clash in the regional final.

Another upset as Miami march on

Throughout the NCAAB Championship, Miami have yet to come up against a team seeded below them. The 9-seeds in the Greenville 2 regional took out 1-seed Indiana in the second round and the upsets continued in their 70-65 victory over 4-seed Villanova.

Miami coach Katie Meier has become the face of this Miami run, with her side outmatched on paper in every contest. That's set to be the case again, as they're up against 3-seeds LSU in the regional final.

However, this brilliant run is credit enough to Miami, with Jasmyne Roberts scoring a career-high 26 points in that victory. The underdogs made a brilliant start with 46 points in the first half, before hoping off a Villanova comeback to secure a place in the last eight.

Their chances of keeping this incredible run going come down to how they handle heavy-favourites LSU.

The 3-seeds have scored at least 66 points in every game, but they were pushed to the limit by 2-seed Utah in the last round. LaDazhia Williams notched 24 points in the victory, willing LSU into the next round.

Utah missed two key free throws when down a point with less than five seconds remaining and then Alexis Morris went down the other end and converted twice from the line to send LSU through.

In the final Seattle 4 regional, 5-seed Louisville are the outsiders after a last-16 victory over 8-seed Ole Miss.