Quick Read
- Virginia defeated Arizona State 57-55 to secure the final spot in the round of 64.
- Southern University advanced with a 65-53 victory over Samford, setting up a clash with top-seeded South Carolina.
- The first round of the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament begins officially on Friday, March 20.
The 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament field is officially complete after Virginia and Southern secured the final two spots in the round of 64 during Thursday’s First Four matchups. These victories conclude the play-in phase, setting the stage for the opening round of the tournament which begins on Friday, March 20.
Virginia Edges Arizona State in Final Minutes
In a tightly contested matchup at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, the University of Virginia Cavaliers defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils 57-55. The game remained a defensive struggle throughout, characterized by key turnovers and limited shooting percentages from both sides. Virginia’s Kymora Johnson proved decisive, hitting a critical 3-pointer with 30 seconds remaining to reclaim the lead. Johnson finished the contest with a double-double, recording 17 points and 10 rebounds. For Arizona State, the loss marks the end of a resilient season under first-year head coach Molly Miller, who returned to the bench for the tournament opener after battling an illness.
Southern Dominates Second Half to Advance
Southern University punched its ticket to the round of 64 with a 65-53 victory over Samford at the Colonial Life Arena. After a back-and-forth first three quarters that saw the teams tied at 44, Southern utilized an 8-0 run in the final frame to pull away. DeMya Porter anchored the Jaguars’ effort, contributing a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. The win secures Southern a first-round meeting with top-seeded South Carolina on Saturday, representing a significant challenge for the HBCU program.
Tournament Stakes and Upcoming Schedule
With the conclusion of the First Four, the tournament shifts immediately to the round of 64. The bracket, now finalized, features high-stakes matchups across multiple regions, including Vanderbilt’s hosting duties in Nashville as they prepare to face High Point on March 21. As reported by USA TODAY, the tournament’s rapid pace leaves little room for recovery, with the second round scheduled to begin as early as Sunday, March 22.
The narrow margins of victory in the First Four underscore the heightened parity in the 2026 field, where defensive-minded programs like Virginia and Southern have demonstrated the ability to disrupt higher-seeded opponents through transition scoring and rebounding efficiency.