NCAA Women’s Tournament 2025 Highlights: UCLA Cruises; South Carolina, LSU Survive
March 29, 2025
The 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament has delivered thrilling moments and nail-biting finishes as teams battle it out for a shot at the national title. From dominant performances to dramatic upsets, the action has been as intense as ever. Here’s a look at some of the biggest highlights from the tournament so far, featuring UCLA’s smooth cruise to victory and South Carolina and LSU’s tense survival.
UCLA Cruises to an Impressive Victory
UCLA has been a powerhouse in women’s basketball for years, and the 2025 NCAA Tournament has shown that the Bruins are as strong as ever. In their opening round matchup, UCLA wasted no time asserting their dominance, cruising to an easy victory over their opponent with a commanding score of 85-54.
The Bruins were led by senior forward Sophia Harris, who delivered a near-perfect performance, scoring 25 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. The combination of aggressive defense and fast-paced offense overwhelmed their opponent, leaving little doubt about UCLA’s championship aspirations. UCLA’s defense, in particular, was stifling, as they forced 18 turnovers and kept their opponents from finding any rhythm on the court.
Head coach Corinne Drury expressed pride in her team’s effort: “We’ve been working hard all season to develop a well-rounded game, and tonight was a perfect example of what we can do when we’re firing on all cylinders. But we know the road ahead is going to get much tougher, and we’re not looking past any opponent.”
With UCLA’s impressive depth, including standout performances from guard Lily Johnson and point guard Maya Turner, it’s clear that they will be a force to be reckoned with as the tournament progresses.
South Carolina Survives a Scare
While UCLA made their victory look easy, South Carolina had to dig deep to avoid an early upset. The defending national champions, led by head coach Dawn Staley, faced a determined Michigan team in a thriller that had fans on the edge of their seats.
The Gamecocks, ranked #1 in the tournament, struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, with Aliyah Boston and Zia Cooke both facing tough defense. Michigan’s Leah McIntyre and Jasmine Robinson kept things close, forcing South Carolina into a nail-biting fourth quarter. But Boston, the 2024 NCAA Player of the Year, showed why she’s one of the best in the country, scoring 18 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in the second half to lead her team to a hard-fought 72-68 victory.
“It wasn’t our best game, but credit to Michigan, they played a great game,” said Staley. “We knew it would be a battle, and sometimes, these tough games prepare you for what’s coming next. We’ll be ready for the next round.”
South Carolina’s narrow win sets the stage for a tough path to defend their title, as they are sure to face even stiffer competition in the rounds ahead.
LSU Battles Through Adversity
LSU also faced a tough challenge but emerged victorious after a dramatic final few minutes in their game against Texas. The Tigers, who came into the tournament as one of the favorites, were tested early by Texas’ gritty defense and shooting from Sophia Adams, who dropped 23 points.
However, LSU’s Jasmine Carson and Flau’jae Johnson proved to be the difference-makers down the stretch. Johnson, known for her clutch performances, hit a crucial three-pointer with 45 seconds left to put LSU ahead 74-72. Carson followed up with two free throws to seal the deal, giving the Tigers a 76-72 victory.
Head coach Kim Mulkey was relieved but proud of her team’s resilience: “It wasn’t pretty, but we got it done. We have some things to clean up, but the heart and determination that I saw in my players tonight were exactly what we need to advance in this tournament.”
While LSU’s victory wasn’t as smooth as they had hoped, their ability to close out tight games is something that could serve them well in the deeper rounds of the tournament.
Looking Ahead: A Thrilling Road to the Final Four
As the 2025 NCAA Women’s Tournament continues to unfold, one thing is clear: this year’s field is loaded with talent, and no team can afford to take their next matchup lightly. UCLA looks poised to be a serious contender after their easy win, but South Carolina and LSU’s survival in the face of adversity shows that even the top teams will face significant challenges on the road to the Final Four.
With Cinderella stories brewing and heavy hitters still in contention, fans can expect the drama to ramp up as we get closer to the tournament’s exciting conclusion. Whether it’s dominant performances or nail-biting finishes, this tournament has already proven to be one of the most thrilling in recent memory.
Stay tuned—March Madness is far from over.
