Record-Breaking Women’s Basketball Teams Dominate March Madness First Round
The top seeds flexed their muscles, with all four No. 1 seeds — UCLA, South Carolina, Texas, and USC — advancing to the second round with ease. On average, these top teams won by an impressive 47 points, reaffirming their dominance and setting the stage for an exciting tournament.
The most significant margin of victory came from the No. 2 UConn Huskies, who delivered a staggering 103-34 win against No. 15 Arkansas State. This 69-point victory tied for the seventh-largest margin of victory in women’s March Madness history. UConn’s Azzi Fudd led the charge with 27 points and a career-high seven assists, while freshman sensation Sarah Strong recorded an impressive 20 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, and five blocks. The Huskies’ defense held Arkansas State to a mere 12-of-70 shooting performance.
The No. 2 Duke Blue Devils also made headlines with an 86-25 victory over No. 15 Lehigh. Duke’s 61-point win marked their largest margin of the season. Sophomore standout Oluchi Okananwa led the way with 15 points, seven rebounds, and three steals. The Blue Devils’ defense was impenetrable, holding Lehigh to single-digit scoring in every quarter.
No. 1 South Carolina entered the tournament with extra motivation after being denied the No. 1 overall seed. The Gamecocks responded with a commanding 108-48 victory over No. 16 Tennessee Tech, a 60-point triumph. Freshman Joyce Edwards scored a team-high 22 points, while MiLaysia Fulwiley added 15 points off the bench. Notably, South Carolina’s bench scored 66 points, setting a new NCAA Tournament record for bench scoring.
Defending national champions and No. 3 seed LSU continued their impressive run with a 103-48 win over No. 14 San Diego State. Head coach Kim Mulkey’s team set a program record for most points in an NCAA tournament game. Despite pre-tournament concerns about injuries to Flau’Jae Johnson and Aneesah Morrow, the duo combined for 34 points, easing any doubts about their fitness.
No. 1 USC showcased their defensive strength with a 71-25 win over No. 16 UNC Greensboro, the second-lowest point total allowed in NCAA Women’s Tournament history. Sophomore JuJu Watkins led the Trojans with 22 points, while Kiki Iriafen added a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
The No. 1 Texas Longhorns also advanced comfortably with a 105-61 win over No. 16 William & Mary. SEC Player of the Year Madison Booker recorded a dominant double-double with 20 points and 14 rebounds. Texas controlled the paint, outscoring their opponent 56-22 inside and winning the rebounding battle 51-26.
Kansas State (No. 5) delivered a 44-point win over No. 12 Fairfield, with star center Ayoka Lee returning from injury to post 17 points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, No. 1 seed UCLA set a program record for the largest margin of victory in March Madness history with their 84-46 win over Southern. Lauren Betts led the Bruins with 14 points and six blocks.
As the tournament progresses, women’s basketball teams will face tougher competition. Fans can expect more thrilling matchups, standout individual performances, and potential upsets. With powerhouse programs like South Carolina, UConn, and LSU in top form, the road to the championship promises to be an exciting journey.
The record-breaking first round of the 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament highlights the growing talent and competitiveness in women’s college basketball. With six women’s basketball teams scoring over 100 points, the tournament has already delivered unforgettable moments, and there’s much more to come as the action intensifies.
Stay tuned as the best women’s basketball teams in the nation continue their quest for glory in this year’s March Madness.
