South Carolina outlasts Maryland to advance in NCAA tournament
- South Carolina defeated Maryland 71-67 to advance to the Elite Eight.
- NC State battled LSU in a close matchup, leading at halftime.
- The tournament continues to showcase intense competition among leading women's basketball teams.
On March 28, 2025, the NCAA Women's Tournament's Sweet 16 stage featured several intense matchups across the United States. The tournament, showcasing talent from various conferences, saw No. 1 seed South Carolina face off against fourth-seeded Maryland in a thrilling contest. South Carolina managed to secure a 71-67 victory, marking their fifth consecutive advance to the Elite Eight. The standout performance of Milaysia Fulwiley, who scored 23 points and executed a pivotal go-ahead layup in the final minutes, highlighted their victory. The Gamecocks strategically pulled away in the closing moments, relying on their ability to sink crucial free throws as time wound down. Meanwhile, North Carolina State, the No. 2 seed, was engaged in a fiercely competitive game against No. 3 seed LSU. The teams exchanged leads, with NC State managing to lead 40-36 at halftime. This matchup continued the narrative of high stakes as LSU aimed for its third consecutive Elite Eight appearance. On the other hand, top-seeded UCLA gained attention with their pursuit to reach the Elite 8 for the first time since 2018, facing Ole Miss to conclude the night's events. Beyond these pivotal games, other teams also made headlines. Duke, the ACC Tournament champion, defeated rival North Carolina in a defensive battle, clinching a spot in the Elite Eight with a 47-38 victory. The Blue Devils' strong bench performance contributed significantly, outscoring North Carolina’s bench to secure the win. This game marked an important moment for both programs as they faced off in their first-ever NCAA tournament meeting, despite having played each other numerous times in regular seasons. Lastly, the Sweet 16 also featured No. 2 TCU overcoming No. 3 Notre Dame, with a final score of 71-62. TCU's Hailey Van Lith contributed a significant performance, especially in the final quarter, to help her team advance to the Elite Eight for the first time in school history. This further exemplified the unpredictability and excitement of the NCAA Women's Tournament, with numerous teams vying to achieve their aspirations amidst thrilling competition.