2013 NCAA Tournament – Day One Recaps

By David Siegel and Cheryl Coward

Bracket Busters

• (10) Creighton 61, (7) Syracuse 56
• (10) South Florida 71, (7) Texas Tech 70
• (12) Kansas 67, (5) Colorado 52

NORFOLK REGION

(4) South Carolina 74, (13) South Dakota State 52

Dawn Staley’s South Carolina team has held all but four opponents under 60 points this season. Today they used that stellar defense to patiently extend a close game into a 74-52 point victory over South Dakota State in the Norfolk region.

Conference player of the year Ieasia Walker led the way for the Gamecocks, with 15 points and seven rebounds. [More]

(3) Texas A&M 71, (14) Wichita State 45

If it is time for March Madness, it is time for Gary Blair’s Texas A&M Aggies to peak. Each year, first in the Big 12 conference and now in the SEC, the Aggies build momentum through the conference tournament and roll into the NCAA tournament.

They opened their 2013 NCAA tournament with a dismantling of Wichita State. with star center Kelsey Bone in early foul trouble, the Aggies went to a balanced attack, led by a career high 18 points from forward Kristi Bellock. Seven players scored at least six points for A & M, as they outscored the Shockers by 13 in each half to create a 26 point blow out. 

(6) Nebraska 73, (11) Chattanooga 59

After falling behind by as many as nine points, Nebraska coach Connie Yori had her team abandon the zone defense they had been playing. The change to man-to-man defense sparked the team’s intensity as the Huskers turned their deficit into a 14-point victory over Chattanooga, 73-59. [More]

(12) Kansas 67, (5) Colorado 52

The Kansas Jayhawks have spent the last week confronted with questions of whether they even deserved their at-large bid into the tournament. Seniors Angel Goodrich and Carolyn Davis were two of five Jayhawks to finish in double figures as they upset fifth-seeded Colorado on their home court, 67-52. [More]

BRIDGEPORT REGION

(8) Vanderbilt 60, (9) Saint Joseph’s 54

STORRS, Conn. – Vanderbilt used their size and strength to hold off a feisty St. Joseph’s team, 60-54 in the first game of the Storrs sub-regional of the NCAA tournament.

Led by Tiffany Clarke’s twelve rebounds, the Commodores amassed a 47-32 advantage, including 18 offensive rebounds. [More]

(5) Michigan State 55, (12) Marist 47

Kiana Johnson led Michigan State (25-8) with 16 points in a first round win over Marist (26-7). Annalise Pickrel added 14 and Jasmine Thomas contributed 10 points for the Spartans. Michigan State improves to 16-12 all-time in the NCAA Tournament, including a 10-2 record in the first round. Monday night Michigan State plays Maryland.

(1) Connecticut 105, (16) Idaho 37

STORRS, Conn. – Six Huskies scored in double figures as top-seeded Connecticut rolled over No. 16 seed Idaho, 105-37, in the first round of the NCAA DI women’s basketball tournament.

Head coach Geno Auriemma said the game went according to their game plan, as the Huskies worked both inside and outside on the offensive end, and used their length and quickness to great advantage against the overmatched Vandals. [More]

(4) Maryland 72, (13) Quinnipiac 52

Maryland had no trouble pulling away from Quinnipiac with Alyssa Thomas putting up 29 points plus 13 rebounds. Tianna Hawkins added 23 points and 16 rebounds for Maryland. It was the first-ever tournament appearance for the Bobcats. Maryland faces Michigan State next.

OKLAHOMA CITY REGION

(6) Oklahoma 78, (11) Central Michigan 73 – (Columbus, Ohio)

Oklahoma (23-10) captured its eighth straight NCAA first round win, beating Central Michigan (21-12), 78-73. They will have chance to avenge a regular season loss when they face UCLA Monday. The Bruins defeated No. 14 seed Stetson, 66-49. OU’s Aaryn Ellenberg finished with 22 points while Joanna McFarland had 18 points and a career-high 17 rebounds.

(3) UCLA 66, (14) Stetson 49 – (Columbus, Ohio)

UCLA (26-7) had a hot start in its tournament opener vs. Stetson (24-9) leaving the Hatters in the dust with an 11-0 run. Nearly every UCLA player that saw action scored, giving the Bruins a balanced effort in the win. Nirra Fields led her team with 13 points while Jasmine Dixon contributed 10 points and 10 rebounds.

(10) Creighton 61, (7) Syracuse 56 – (Knoxville, Tenn.)

Creighton (25-7) came to Knoxville, Tenn. ready as they kicked Syracuse (24-8) out of the first round of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament in the Oklahoma City region. It was the first tournament victory for Creighton since 1994. They face No. 2 seed Tennessee next.

Led by McKenzie Fujan, who finished with 24 points and five rebounds, the Bluejays held off a late-game rally by the Orange to earn the victory. Sarah Nelson contributed 17 points and seven rebounds. Marissa Janning added 10 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

Nelson reached the 1,000-point career mark during the game.

Kayla Alexander, the leading scorer in Syracuse history, led her team with 23 points and eight rebounds. [More]

(2) Tennessee 83, (15) Oral Roberts 62 – (Knoxville, Tenn.)

The Lady Vols (25-7) gave Holly Warlick her first NCAA tournament win as the new head coach of Tennessee with a victory over Oral Roberts (18-13). While the Golden Eagles gave Tennessee some stiff competition for most of the game, the Lady Vols eventually began to pull away to seal the victory. Meighan Simmons led the Lady Vols with 18 points and five rebounds.

SPOKANE REGION

(5) Iowa State 72, (12) Gonzaga 60 – (Spokane, Wash.)

Iowa State (24-8) spoiled Gonzaga’s (27-6) home court advantage with a 72-60 victory over the Zags in the tournament opener for the teams. Chelsea Poppens (18 points) and Hallie Christofferson (18 points) led the effort by the Cyclones. Iowa State snapped Gonzaga’s 4-0 streak playing at home in tournament games. The Cyclones play Georgia next.

(4) Georgia 70, (13) Montana 50 – (Spokane, Wash.)

After a close game for much of the first and second half, Georgia (26-6) launched a run in the middle of the second half to pull away from Montana (24-8), 70-50. Jasmine Hassell led the Lady Bulldogs with 16 points. Shacobia Barbee contributed 13.

(2) California 90, (15) Fresno State 76 – (Lubbock, Texas)

Cal (29-3) held off Fresno State (24-9) to pull out a 90-76 victory in Lubbock. The Bulldogs made trey after trey to stay within striking distance of Cal for much of the game. Brittany Boyd led Cal with 21 points plus a career-high 13 rebounds. Layshia Clarendon contributed 19 points and Gennifer Brandon added 17 points and 12 rebounds. They face USF next

10) South Florida 71, (7) Texas Tech 70 – (Lubbock, Texas)

In a game marred by technical difficulties in the last minutes that left fans unable to see the action, South Florida (22-10) delivered an upset to Texas Tech (21-11), 71-70. Inga Orekhova drained five three-point shots in the game and finished with a team-high 20 points. Andell Smith contributed 13 points in the win that went down to the wire with the teams tied at 66 with 23 seconds left in the game.