A Thrilling Sunday in Women’s Basketball: Parity Reigns Supreme
The 2024 women’s basketball season continues to deliver captivating storylines, with Sunday’s slate of games providing a microcosm of the parity and excitement that has defined the year. Three top-15 teams fell in thrilling fashion, while Stanford’s Tara VanDerveer etched her name further into the history books.
Ohio State Stuns Iowa, Caitlin Clark’s 45 Points Not Enough
The day’s most compelling matchup featured No. 3 Iowa and Caitlin Clark squaring off against No. 18 Ohio State. Despite Clark’s heroic 45-point performance, the Buckeyes pulled off a stunning 100-92 overtime victory in Columbus.
Ohio State’s victory was a testament to their relentless defensive identity and clutch play down the stretch. The Buckeyes forced 21 turnovers, converting those takeaways into easy baskets. Cotie McMahon led the way for Ohio State, scoring a game-high 33 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
Clark’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. She shot 15-of-29 from the field, including 7-of-15 from three-point range. She also dished out six assists and grabbed seven rebounds. However, it was her fourth-quarter heroics that truly showcased her brilliance.
With Iowa trailing by 12 points with just over four minutes remaining in regulation, Clark willed her team back into contention. She scored nine points in a span of two minutes, including a pair of three-pointers, to cut the deficit to just three points.
However, Ohio State responded with a late rally of their own, led by McMahon and Jacy Sheldon. The Buckeyes made 83% of their field goals in overtime to seal the victory.
Chaos in the ACC: Virginia and North Carolina Upset Top-15 Foes
The ACC provided its own share of drama on Sunday, with two unranked teams pulling off major upsets.
Virginia, who entered the game without an ACC victory, stunned No. 15 Florida State 91-87 in Tallahassee. Kymora Johnson led the way for the Cavaliers, scoring a game-high 33 points.
Meanwhile, No. 23 North Carolina defeated No. 13 Louisville 79-68 in Chapel Hill. Deja Kelly led the way for the Tar Heels, scoring 23 points and dishing out six assists.
Both victories were significant for the ACC standings, as they opened up the race for the conference title.
Colorado Outlasts USC in Top-6 PAC-12 Clash
In a highly anticipated matchup between No. 6 USC and No. 3 Colorado, the Buffaloes emerged victorious with a 63-59 win in Boulder.
USC’s standout freshman, JuJu Watkins, continued her impressive season with a 12-point first quarter. However, she was forced to sit out the majority of the second half after picking up her fifth foul early in the third quarter.
In Watkins’ absence, Colorado took control of the game. Jaylyn Sherrod led the way for the Buffaloes, scoring 17 points and grabbing seven rebounds.
The game was close throughout, with neither team leading by more than two possessions in the second half. However, Colorado’s defense proved to be the difference, as they held USC to just 34% shooting from the field.
Tara VanDerveer Becomes Winningest Coach in College Basketball History
In addition to the thrilling games on the court, Sunday also marked a historic milestone for Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer. With the Cardinal’s 65-56 victory over Oregon State, VanDerveer became the winningest coach in college basketball history, surpassing the legendary Pat Summitt.
VanDerveer’s coaching career has spanned over four decades, and she has led Stanford to three national championships and 12 Final Fours. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in the history of the sport.
Conclusion
Sunday’s slate of women’s basketball games provided a fitting microcosm of the parity and excitement that has defined the 2024 season. With several top teams falling and Cinderella stories emerging, the NCAA Tournament promises to be one of the most unpredictable and memorable in recent memory.