INDIANAPOLIS — The second round of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament continued Sunday with a slate of high-stakes matchups across the bracket. Top-seeded South Carolina faced off against No. 9 Oregon State in a clash of contrasting styles, while defending champion LSU took on No. 8 Ole Miss in a battle of SEC foes. Both games were decided by late surges, with the Gamecocks and Lady Tigers advancing with hard-fought victories.
The Gamecocks (30-1) relied on their suffocating defense and balanced scoring to pull away from Oregon State (24-10) in the final minutes, winning 73-65. Kamilla Cardoso led South Carolina with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Aliyah Boston added 15 points and seven boards. The Beavers, who entered the game with a 14-game winning streak, kept the pressure on but could not overcome South Carolina’s depth and experience. Oregon State’s leading scorer, Taylor Jones, finished with 22 points, but foul trouble limited her impact in the closing minutes.
LSU (28-5), the reigning national champions, faced a fierce challenge from Ole Miss (25-7), which entered the tournament as a Cinderella story. The Lady Tigers escaped with a 78-72 win, overcoming a 12-point deficit in the third quarter. Angel Reese contributed 22 points and 14 rebounds, while Hailey Van Lith added 18 points and key defensive stops in the final frame. Ole Miss guard Myah Taylor led all scorers with 26 points, but the Rebels’ defense faltered in the stretch, allowing LSU to reclaim the lead late.
Elsewhere, No. 4 Notre Dame defeated No. 5 Iowa State 71-64 in a tightly contested game, while No. 6 UCLA held off No. 11 Baylor 74-70 behind a 28-point performance from guard Charisma Osborne. The Bruins now await a potential showdown with top-seeded South Carolina in the Elite Eight.
The Sweet 16 field is now set, with matchups featuring No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 4 Notre Dame and No. 2 LSU vs. No. 6 UCLA in the upcoming rounds. Fans can expect high-intensity basketball as the tournament intensifies toward the Final Four.
Original Source: Read original article