Day 2 Women’s March Madness: First-Round Scores and Analysis
Day 2 of the 2026 women’s NCAA tournament delivered several decisive opening-round results. Filmogaz.com details standout performances and key numbers from Saturday.
South Carolina overwhelms Southern
South Carolina routed Southern, 103-34. The Gamecocks scored 44 first-half points and 32 in the paint.
Joyce Edwards finished with 27 points on 11-of-14 shooting. Madina Okot, listed at 6-foot-6, added 15 points.
The Gamecocks opened the third quarter with a 20-0 run. They outscored Southern 32-2 in the period.
That margin made South Carolina the third team in NCAA tournament history to outscore an opponent by 30-plus in a quarter. UConn did so in 2016 and 2018.
Ta’Niya Latson chipped in 17 points and six assists. The 69-point win was the largest in program history.
What South Carolina must fix
Three-point shooting remains a concern. South Carolina finished 8-of-28 from deep.
The team began 1-of-13 from distance in the first half. Coach Dawn Staley will emphasize improvement there.
Louisville pulls away after halftime
Louisville recovered from a shaky first half to beat Vermont. The Cardinals shot 55 percent in the second half.
Mackenly Randolph recorded a career-high 20 points and a career-best 11 rebounds. It was her fourth double-double in five games.
Randolph scored nine points in the third quarter as Louisville outscored Vermont 23-10. The Cardinals held only a four-point halftime edge.
Vermont guard Keira Hanson scored 14 first-half points but cooled after halftime. She finished with 22 points.
How Louisville can advance
Ball movement improved after the break. Louisville must start faster in the next round.
Randolph’s recent form gives Jeff Walz a reliable inside option to build on.
Ohio State’s press decides Howard game
Ohio State beat Howard, 75-54. The Buckeyes’ second-quarter surge put the game out of reach.
The press produced a 23-4 run over ten minutes. Ohio State forced 12 turnovers during that stretch.
The turnover pressure led to 16 points. Ohio State ranks 17th nationally, forcing 21.4 turnovers per game.
Jaloni Cambridge led the Buckeyes with 21 points, plus two steals and two blocks. Chance Gray hit three of six threes for 11 points.
Keys for Ohio State’s next step
The press may be less effective against tougher opponents. Cambridge’s ability to create remains crucial.
Ohio State shot 9-of-24 from three against Howard. Consistent perimeter shooting will matter in later rounds.
Filmogaz.com continues to track Day 2 action in Women’s March Madness. Readers can find first-round scores and deeper analysis as the tournament progresses.
