Notre Dame, Virginia Upset Rivals to Secure Sweet 16 NCAA Spots

The NCAA Women’s Tournament has seen surprising upsets in the second round, notably involving Virginia and Notre Dame. Both teams have secured their spots in the Sweet 16, showcasing thrilling performances on the court.

Virginia Upsets Iowa in Double Overtime

No. 10 seed Virginia made history by defeating No. 2 seed Iowa, 83-75, in a closely contested double overtime match. This victory marks Virginia’s first trip to the Sweet 16 in 26 years. The Cavaliers, who initially won a play-in game to enter the tournament, are the only double-digit seed remaining in the field.

Virginia’s win at Carver Hawkeye Arena also saw Iowa becoming the highest seed to be eliminated in the tournament thus far. The Cavaliers’ memorable victory continues their strong momentum, having won 10 of their last 12 games. Virginia will next face No. 3 seed TCU in Sacramento.

Notre Dame Defeats Ohio State

No. 6 seed Notre Dame achieved a significant victory against No. 3 seed Ohio State, winning 83-73. This loss marks the third consecutive year that Ohio State has exited the tournament early while hosting. Notre Dame’s standout player, Hannah Hidalgo, demonstrated her skills with 26 points, 13 rebounds, and eight steals, nearly achieving a triple-double.

Notre Dame’s triumph was characterized by a balanced scoring effort, with five players finishing in double digits. Ohio State’s Jaloni Cambridge delivered a remarkable performance with 41 points but received little support from her teammates, as none scored more than 10 points. Notre Dame will now compete against the winner of No. 2 Vanderbilt and No. 7 Illinois in the next round.

Recap of Notable Statistics

Upcoming Challenges

As the tournament progresses, both Virginia and Notre Dame will aim to maintain their momentum and challenge higher-seeded opponents. With thrilling matchups ahead, fans are eagerly anticipating the next round of play in the NCAA Women’s Tournament.