Women’s March Madness: Day 1 live updates, scores, takeaways

March Madness is here. Day 1 of the women’s NCAA tournament has tipped off with 16 games on opening day. And we’re tracking all the action across all corners of the bracket.

Buckle up. We’re in for 12 hours of women’s hoops. So keep refreshing the scoreboards, check your Women’s Tournament Challenge bracket and consider this your destination to track all the highlights and results, along with analysis, reaction and on-site reporting from ESPN.

Jump to: Live updates | Takeaways

Friday’s schedule (all tips ET):

(10) Nebraska vs. (7) Louisville, 6 p.m. (ESPN)
(12) Ball State vs. (5) Ole Miss, 6 p.m. (ESPNU)
(9) Georgia Tech vs. (8) Richmond, 7:30 p.m. (ESPNEWS)
(12) South Florida vs. (5) Tennessee, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
(15) Lehigh vs. (2) Duke, 8 p.m. (ESPNU)
(16) Southern vs. (1) UCLA, 10 p.m. (ESPN)

Friday takeaways

Final: Michigan 80, Iowa State 74

What was the catalyst behind Michigan’s second-half surge?: Jordan Hobbs picked the perfect time for the best game of her Division I career. After scoring 10 total points in her first five NCAA tournament games, the Michigan senior totaled 28 points (9 of 16 field goals, 5 of 10 3-pointers), which is tied for the most in program history in the tournament, and led the Wolverines out of early-game shooting struggles. When Iowa State’s Audi Crooks threatened to take over the game at several points, Hobbs provided an answer. According to ESPN Research, this is the first time any five Michigan players (starters or bench) have scored 10-plus points in an NCAA tournament game in program history.

Will Michigan’s inexperience be a factor in the second round?: The Wolverines face Notre Dame on Sunday. Michigan’s starting five — which includes freshmen Olivia Olson, Mila Holloway and Syla Swords — scored 100% of its points. Michigan’s freshmen account for 49.2% of their minutes played, the highest mark by any team in the tournament. Swords (11 points Friday) was held below her season average of 16.1 points, and scored one point in the fourth quarter, while Olson carried the load in the final frame (9 of her 16 points). — Courtney Cronin

Final: Kentucky 79, Liberty 78

How did Kentucky hang on?: The Wildcats were able to nurse a big first-half lead to the finish despite really struggling in the fourth quarter. Senior guard Georgia Amoore finished with a game-high 34 points, which matched the most by a Kentucky player in an NCAA tournament game. However, 23 of those came in the first quarter as she and the rest of Kentucky’s offense misfired down the stretch. Liberty cut the deficit to one point in the final minute but weren’t able to get a key defensive rebound to set up a potential game-winning possession.

What does it mean for Kentucky: Initially, it looked like a pretty easy game. But once Liberty did a good job of forcing others besides Amoore to shoulder the offense, things slowed down. Amoore showed the ability to create off the dribble and knock down deep 3s. Sophomore center Clara Strack and senior guard Dazia Lawrence, who had 16 and 15 points, respectively, had buckets in key moments. But coach Kenny Brooks will want a more consistent effort on Sunday. After the game, he acknowledged his post defense was was an issue, especially when starters Teonni Key and Strack fouled out. “We elected to go with a one-on-one approach,” he said, “and we didn’t win very many of those battles.” The Wildcats also shot 5-for-17 in the fourth quarter. Per ESPN Research, every one of those shot attempts was contested. — Ben Baby

MORE: Amoore ties UK mark as Wildcats avoid collapse

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UK’s Amoore: ‘We’re hosting for a reason, we’ve just got to believe it’

After scoring 34 in the one-point win over 13-seed Liberty, Georgia Amoore says 4-seed Kentucky must enter the second round with more confidence and energy to close the deal.

Final: Indiana 76, Utah 68

How did Indiana win despite struggling from 3-point range?: The Hoosiers came into the game averaging 7.9 3-pointers per game but made just five of 17 (29.4%) from long range. But they did everything else well offensively. Indiana shot 72.7% from 2-point range (24-of-33) and 86.7% from the line (13-of-15). And defensively, although Utah made nine 3-pointers, the Utes shot just 28.1% from behind arc. Led by fifth-year guard Chloe Moore-McNeil, the Hoosiers’ defense made the Utes work hard for everything they got. While the first half was even, the Hoosiers outscored the Utes 27-16 in the third quarter and then held on to the lead. Five Hoosiers scored in double figures, led by Yarden Garzon’s 17 points.

What it means for Indiana?: The Hoosiers lost their best player from last year’s Sweet 16 team as forward Mackenzie Holmes graduated and was drafted into the WNBA. But they’ve still hit the 20-win mark for the 10th season in a row. Unless there is a major upset, they will face No. 1 seed and host South Carolina in the second round. These teams met in the regional semifinals in Albany, New York, last year, when the Hoosiers gave the eventual national champions one of their toughest battles of the tournament. South Carolina won 79-75 in a game that wasn’t decided until the final seconds. — Michael Voepel

Final: Notre Dame 106, Stephen F. Austin 54

How significant is Olivia Miles’ injury?: Notre Dame’s second-leading scorer (16.2 PPG) went down hard with an injury to her left ankle with 8:44 remaining in the fourth quarter. Miles, who had made at least one field goal over 98 Division I games entering the first round, scored only two points in Notre Dame’s blowout win on 0-for-6 shooting but helped Notre Dame make 64% of its shots off her passes. The senior guard took several minutes before she was able to rise to her feet and walk off the floor under her own power with a noticeable limp and apparent ankle injury. Miles quickly went back to the locker room after a brief stop on the Irish’s sideline.

What the win means for Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish became the first non-1-seed to score 100 points and win by 50-plus in an NCAA tournament game. Hannah Hidalgo and Sonia Citron each scored 24 points and made quick work of an overmatched 14-seed. Notre Dame’s 45 made field goals were tied for the seventh most in an NCAA tournament game all time and are the third most by a team this century. Up next is No. 6 Michigan on Sunday. — Courtney Cronin

MORE: Notre Dame’s Miles injures ankle in first-round win

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Hannah Hidalgo Top Points vs. Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks

Hannah Hidalgo Top Points vs. Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks

Final: Kansas State 85, Fairfield 41

Does Kansas State have the chops to make a deep run?: Things definitely seem rosy following a blowout win over the Stags that became progressively lopsided as the game went on. But a few things should be taken into consideration — namely, the massive size advantage that the 5-seed Wildcats enjoyed. But that type of roster could give plenty of teams problems. Kansas State’s Ayoka Lee, listed at 6-foot-6, is a sturdy presence in the middle who will challenge teams that have shaky post play. Lee finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds. But senior guard Serena Sundell shouldn’t be overlooked, either. The team’s second-leading scorer during the season had 18 points and nine assists against the overmatched Stags. At 6-2, she showed the ability to score from the outside and also back down smaller guards. Kansas State didn’t have a sterling regular season and was 6-5 in its previous 11 games, struggling when Lee was sidelined with injury. But the team can give anyone problems when it plays well.

What it means for Kansas State: Speaking of teams with questionable post play, that was something Kentucky coach Kenny Brooks complained about in the first game on Friday in Lexington. Kansas State should be in a prime position to exploit that matchup given how the Wildcats looked against Fairfield. If Kansas State’s backcourt can find a way to clamp Kentucky star guard Georgia Amoore (easier said than done), it will have a great shot at making a trip to the Sweet 16. — Ben Baby

(15) FDU vs.
(2) TCU

Final: TCU 73, FDU 51

How did TCU pull away?: TCU didn’t shoot well in the first half — particularly in the first quarter when the Horned Frogs shot only 35.7% from the floor — and everything looked difficult on the offensive end. But TCU was able to convert an eight-point halftime lead into a dominant first-round victory by increasing defensive energy and tying up loose ends. FDU shot 40% in the first half but finished the game shooting 35.4% and 9.1% (1-for-11) from 3-point range. TCU limited the Knights to two second-chance points, none in the second half. As the lead opened, the offense flowed. Senior Madison Conner ended the game with 23 points, shooting 4-of-9 from beyond the arc. Sedona Prince got her 16th double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds, and also had three blocks. Big 12 player of the year Hailey Van Lith finished with 13 points and seven assists.

What’s next for TCU?: TCU will get the winner of 10-seed Nebraska vs. 7-seed Louisville. Less important than the matchup (though who would say no to Van Lith playing against her former school in Louisville?) is that TCU ground out a victory in the first round to begin with. TCU players and coaches reiterated ahead of the game of how special it was to play at home, how important this team has been, how amazing of a turnaround this program has seen, etc. That sentiment, when pressurized by a much lower seed playing a game closer than anticipated, can turn into an upset recipe. No matter which team TCU sees Sunday, the Horned Frogs expelled the first-round tournament jitters. — Katie Barnes