Sweet 16 Showdowns: UCLA Dominates, South Carolina and LSU Fight Back

The 2025 NCAA Women's Tournament kicked off the Sweet 16 round with some intense matchups. UCLA, the top seed, showed why they are favorites by easily beating Ole Miss. Lauren Betts was a force inside, scoring 31 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. She was nearly perfect, missing just one shot. Betts' performance was crucial in sending UCLA to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2018. The Bruins will face LSU next, a team that also had a tough battle. LSU, seeded third, had a thrilling game against North Carolina State. It was a close match, but LSU pulled ahead in the final minutes. Aneesah Morrow had a standout performance with 30 points and 19 rebounds. Her effort on the boards was key, as LSU outrebounded NC State by a significant margin. This win marks LSU's third straight Elite Eight appearance, showing their consistency and strength. South Carolina, the defending champions, had a scare against Maryland. The Gamecocks were pushed to the limit but managed to hold off the Terrapins in the final minutes. MiLaysia Fulwiley scored the go-ahead layup with just over two minutes left, securing the win. South Carolina will now face Duke in the Elite Eight. Duke had a strong defensive performance against North Carolina, stifling their rivals to advance. The Sweet 16 round showed that every game is a battle. Top-seeded teams like UCLA and South Carolina had to fight hard, while LSU showed their resilience. These matchups highlight the depth of talent in women's college basketball. The Elite Eight promises more exciting games as these teams push for a spot in the Final Four. It's clear that the Sweet 16 round was a test of endurance and skill. Teams had to dig deep, both physically and mentally. The Elite Eight will be even more challenging, with each game likely to be a nail-biter. Fans can expect more intense matchups and standout performances as the tournament progresses.