The opening rounds of the women’s NCAA tournament delivered unexpected thrills as history-making programs punched their tickets to the Big Dance.
The 2025 women’s NCAA tournament kicked off with First Four action that saw underdog stories unfold in dramatic fashion. Columbia and William & Mary both secured their first-ever NCAA Tournament victories, writing new chapters in their program histories.
Columbia completes comeback against Washington
The Lions weren’t going to let their first March Madness appearance slip away without a fight. After trailing by 13 points at halftime, Columbia outscored Washington 42-26 in the second half to secure a stunning 63-60 victory at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill.
Riley Weiss emerged as the hero for the Lions, pouring in 24 points with 19 coming during the pivotal second-half surge. The sharpshooter knocked down five three-pointers, including back-to-back daggers in the fourth quarter that gave Columbia its first lead of the game.
The comeback began in the third quarter when Columbia found renewed energy after looking completely disjointed in the first half. The Lions managed just 21 points before halftime but exploded for 19 in the third quarter alone.
Defensive Player of the Year Kitty Henderson changed the game with her disruptive presence, recording four steals to go along with 11 points and seven rebounds. Her back-to-back thefts late in the third quarter brought the Lions within striking distance.
The final minute featured all the drama March Madness is known for. Columbia built a four-point cushion with 18 seconds remaining before Washington’s Elle Ladine cut the deficit to one with a clutch three-pointer. Weiss calmly sank two free throws with 12 seconds left to secure the historic win.
William & Mary continues Cinderella run
The Tribe made the most of their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, defeating High Point 69-63 at Moody Center in Austin to advance to a first-round matchup with top-seeded Texas.
William & Mary’s journey to March Madness was unlikely enough. After dropping eight of their final nine regular-season games, senior guard Bella Nascimento delivered an impassioned speech during a team bus ride that sparked an incredible turnaround. Eight days later, the ninth-seeded Tribe with a losing record became surprising CAA champions.
Nascimento continued her inspired play against High Point, leading all scorers with 24 points while adding five rebounds. Natalie Fox contributed a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds as the Tribe dominated the glass with a 45-31 rebounding advantage.
The defensive intensity that fueled their conference tournament run carried over to the First Four. William & Mary recorded 15 steals and converted 16 High Point turnovers into 18 points.
Monet Dance provided a spark from beyond the arc, connecting on all three of her three-point attempts. The Tribe shot an impressive 6-of-9 from distance in the first half to build a 34-28 halftime lead.
High Point threatened in the third quarter, using an 11-4 run to briefly take the lead behind Aaliyah Collins, who finished with 16 points and four steals. But William & Mary weathered the storm and pulled away in the fourth quarter to keep their magical run alive.
Tournament bracket continues to unfold
The First Four victories by Columbia and William & Mary add to the early drama of the tournament. Iowa State and Southern University had already secured spots in the field of 64 with wins on Wednesday.
The Columbia Lions now advance to face sixth-seeded West Virginia in the first round, while William & Mary’s reward for their historic win is a matchup with No. 1 seed Texas.
The full tournament bracket is packed with intriguing matchups as play continues with first-round action on Friday and Saturday. Top seeds South Carolina, UCLA, USC and Texas all begin their championship quests against lower-seeded opponents.
Upsets brewing in women’s tournament
What was once a predictable tournament has transformed into a bracket-busting spectacle in recent years. The caliber of play across women’s college basketball has improved dramatically, creating fertile ground for the kind of upsets that make March Madness so captivating.
While powerhouse programs like South Carolina and UConn remain favorites, several lower seeds are positioned to make deep runs. Teams like Duke and Ohio State have the talent to derail championship dreams and create chaos in the bracket.
The tournament’s unpredictability is reflected in expert predictions. While some analysts expect chalk with all four No. 1 seeds reaching the Final Four, others are betting on USC and JuJu Watkins to capture the program’s first national championship in four decades.
First round action begins Friday
The madness continues with first-round games tipping off Friday morning. Michigan faces Iowa State at 11:30 a.m. ET on ESPN2, while South Carolina begins its title defense against Tennessee Tech at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Saturday’s slate features UConn taking on Arkansas State, USC battling UNC Greensboro, and Texas facing the William & Mary Tribe.
For basketball fans, the next two weeks promise unforgettable moments, stunning upsets, and the crowning of a national champion on college basketball’s biggest stage.
The tournament has already delivered historic firsts for programs like Columbia and William & Mary. Now the question becomes which team will write the final chapter of this March Madness story with a championship celebration.
