Women’s Sweet 16 moves
The women’s bracket tightened: Louisville advanced on Reyna Scott’s clutch jumper, UConn rolled, and Texas cruised with 87–45 and 100–58 wins to reach the Sweet 16 — those games set Sweet 16 dates for March 27–28 in Fort Worth and Sacramento. The Elite Eight and Final Four are next week, with Phoenix hosting the championship on April 5. ( )
Elif Istanbulluoglu scored 18 points and ripped a steal with 1:42 left that set up Reyna Scott’s one‑handed, shot‑clock‑beating jumper; Imari Berry then sank two free throws with 8.2 seconds remaining to lock Louisville’s 69–68 win. ( ) Scott finished the game with 5 points and 5 assists and entered the tournament averaging 8.3 points per game this season for Louisville. ( ) UConn’s Azzi Fudd poured in 34 points, drilling eight 3‑pointers as the Huskies ripped off a 31–0 run in a 98–45 victory over Syracuse. (espn.com) Madison Booker scored a career‑high 40 points on 14‑of‑21 shooting (10‑of‑11 free throws) — the most by a Longhorn in an NCAA Tournament game — in Texas’ 100–58 win over Oregon that sent Texas to its third straight Sweet 16. ( ) The official NCAA Sweet 16 schedule lists matchups including No. 1 UConn vs. No. 4 North Carolina at 5:00 p.m. ET Friday, March 27, and No. 1 Texas vs. No. 5 Kentucky at 3:00 p.m. ET Saturday, March 28, with networks noted on the NCAA schedule. (ncaa.com) The women’s Final Four semifinals are set for April 3 and the national championship for April 5 at Phoenix’s Mortgage Matchup Center (the Footprint Center), with Arizona State serving as the host institution for the event. ( )
