The Kentucky Wildcats women’s basketball team entered the 2025 NCAA Tournament with aspirations of reaching their first-ever Final Four. Securing a No. 4 seed, they hosted the first and second rounds at Historic Memorial Coliseum in Lexington, Kentucky citeturn0search3.
In the opening round, Kentucky faced No. 13 seed Liberty. The Wildcats built a substantial 17-point lead but had to fend off a late surge from the Flames, ultimately winning 79–78 citeturn0search11.
Advancing to the second round, Kentucky met No. 5 seed Kansas State. In a tightly contested game, the Wildcats were edged out 80–79, ending their tournament run citeturn0search17.
Despite the early exit, Kentucky’s performance showcased their potential and resilience. With a strong foundation and promising talent, the Wildcats are poised to build upon this experience in future seasons.
The opening day of the 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament delivered a thrilling mix of narrow escapes, dominant performances, and unexpected upsets, setting the stage for an exhilarating March Madness.
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### Kentucky’s Narrow Escape
The Kentucky Wildcats, seeded No. 4, narrowly avoided a first-round upset against No. 13 seed Liberty. Despite building a substantial 17-point lead, Kentucky had to fend off a late surge from the Flames, ultimately securing a 79–78 victory. The Wildcats’ resilience was tested, but they managed to advance to the second round, where they faced No. 5 seed Kansas State. In another tightly contested game, Kentucky was edged out 80–79, ending their tournament run. citeturn0search0
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### South Carolina’s Dominant Performance
Top-seeded South Carolina showcased their championship pedigree with a commanding 108–48 win over Tennessee Tech. The Gamecocks set a program record for points scored in an NCAA Tournament game, demonstrating their offensive prowess and solidifying their status as a formidable contender. citeturn0search0
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### Other Notable Moments
– **Notre Dame’s Record Victory**: The Fighting Irish delivered a historic 106–54 win over Stephen F. Austin, marking their largest margin of victory in NCAA Tournament history. However, the triumph was tempered by an ankle injury to star guard Olivia Miles, whose status for upcoming games remains uncertain. citeturn0search0
– **Oregon’s Overtime Thriller**: In a classic March Madness upset, No. 10 seed Oregon overcame a 19-point deficit to defeat No. 7 seed Vanderbilt in overtime, 85–83. The Ducks’ comeback exemplified the unpredictability and excitement of the tournament’s early rounds. citeturn0search0
– **Kansas State’s Historic Win**: With the return of star center Ayoka Lee, No. 5 seed Kansas State secured a dominant 92–48 victory over No. 12 seed Fairfield, marking the largest margin of victory for a No. 5 seed against a No. 12 seed in tournament history. citeturn0search0
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### Looking Ahead
As the tournament progresses, teams like South Carolina will look to maintain their momentum, while others aim to capitalize on early successes and address challenges. The opening day’s mix of close calls and commanding victories has set a high bar for the excitement and drama expected in the rounds to come.
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