2024 NCAA Women's Tournament scores, highlights, bracket: NC State upsets Texas; South Carolina advances

The Wolfpack are headed to the Final Four for the first time since 1998 while the Gamecocks are making their fourth straight trip

Two pieces of the Final Four are set. 

Top-seeded South Carolina became the first team to punch its ticket by taking down No. 3 seed Oregon State, 70-58, in the Elite Eight on Sunday. The Gamecocks head into the NCAA Women's Tournament's final weekend undefeated for a second consecutive year, and this time they hope to finish the job as Caitlin Clark and Iowa stunned South Carolina on that stage last season. 

While South Carolina let Indiana get dangerously close to an upset in the Sweet 16, the Gamecocks stymied every Beavers run Sunday. It was an incredible defensive effort from the entire team, but particularly Ashlyn Watkins. The sophomore forward tallied 14 rebounds and four blocks from the bench, adding eight points on 4-of-9 shooting. Speaking of South Carolina's bench, reserve guard Tessa Johnson led all Gamecocks scorers with 15 points, including two 3-pointers. 

Meanwhile, No. 3 seed NC State knocked off No. 1 seed Texas to secure its first Final Four appearance since 1998. The Wolfpack were buoyed by an incredible shooting performance from Aziaha James, who poured in 27 points on 7-of-9 from 3-point range. Longhorns forward Madison Booker led the way with 17 points on 8-of-21 from the field, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deadly 3-point shooting from NC State on Sunday.

Thanks for stopping by for our coverage on Sunday and be sure to come back for more on Monday when Iowa takes on LSU and USC battles UConn.

NCAA Women's Tournament Elite Eight TV schedule, scores

All times Eastern | NCAA Tournament schedule | LIVE bracket

Sunday, March 31

• (1) South Carolina 70, (3) Oregon State 58 -- Recap
• (3) NC State 76, (1) Texas 66 -- Recap

[Mar 31, 2024 at 5:17 pm ET · Isabel Gonzalez]

(3) NC State 76, (1) Texas 66 | Final

They did it. The NC State Wolfpack went from being unranked at the beginning of the season to advancing to the first Final Four of the program since 1998.

Texas tried to get back in the game in the second half by switching to zone defense but NC State was one opponent the Longhorns just couldn't stop in this tournament. NC State's Aziaha James had an incredible performance of 27 points by going 7-for-9 from beyond the arc -- five of those 3-pointers coming in the first two quarters when her team was shooting on the deeper arc due to court measurement issues. But overall it was a full team effort with five NC State players scoring in double figures. 

NC State will be taking on South Carolina in Cleveland. 

[Mar 31, 2024 at 3:14 pm ET · Wajih AlBaroudi]

(1) South Carolina 70, (3) Oregon State 58 | Final

The Gamecocks are off to the Final Four after collecting a relatively stress-free double-digit victory over Oregon State. This is South Carolina's fourth straight Final Four appearance, and it'll go into the NCAA Tournament's final weekend undefeated for a second year in a row. Tessa Johnson led all Gamecocks scorers from the bench, pouring in 15 on 4-of-11 shooting and 2-of-5 from 3-point range. Ashlyn Watkins was incredible defensively, collecting four blocks to go along with 14 rebounds and eight points. South Carolina will now play either Texas or NC State in Cleveland next week. 

[Mar 31, 2024 at 4:49 pm ET · Isabel Gonzalez]

(3) NC State 57 (1) Texas 48 | End of Q3

Don't count Texas out. The Longhorns came out with a lot more energy after the break. While they are not shooting 3-pointers like Aziaha James and NC State, they are winning the battle in the paint 32-18. Shay Holle leads Texas with 12 points and Madison Booker follows with 10 more.

"Gotta guard... we gotta guard and we can't have wasted possessions," Texas head coach Vic Schaefer said in the broadcast.

[Mar 31, 2024 at 4:35 pm ET · Isabel Gonzalez]

NCAA issues a statement

The NCAA issued a statement on the 3-point line mistake during the women's Elite Eight round in Portland. They intend to fix the court before tomorrow's game between USC and UConn.

[Mar 31, 2024 at 4:24 pm ET · Isabel Gonzalez]

Aziaha James stats

NC State junior guard Aziaha James entered this game shooting 41.5% from the field and 32.5% from beyond the arc. Her season-high was five 3-pointers made against Chattanooga. Her highest scoring game this season is 33 points against Duke in January. 

[Mar 31, 2024 at 4:13 pm ET · Isabel Gonzalez]

(3) NC State 43, (1) Texas 31 | Halftime

The Texas defense had been holding opponents to an average of under 48 points per game in this tournament and just 32.1% shooting from the field. That is definitely not the case today and the Longhorns' opponents deserve a lot of credit.

NC State started the 2023-24 season unranked but the Wolfpack are putting on quite a show at the Elite Eight. Aziaha James is demanding the spotlight with 21 points going 7-for-10 from the field, including a perfect 5-for-5 from beyond the arc. What is even more impressive is that NC State is currently playing on the deeper 3-point arc of this asymmetrical court. 

[Mar 31, 2024 at 4:01 pm ET · Isabel Gonzalez]

NC State is on fire

NC State really isn't worried about where the 3-point line is. The Wolfpack is currently going 6-for-8 from beyond the arc. Aziaha James is unstoppable today with 19 points so far, including going 5-for-5 in 3-point attempts. NC State leads 39-22 with three minutes until halftime. 

[Mar 31, 2024 at 3:41 pm ET · Isabel Gonzalez]

Uneven court

The 3-point lines are uneven on the Moda Center court during the Elite Eight of the women's tournament. According to the ESPN broadcast, Texas head coach Vic Schaefer and NC State's Wes Moore agreed to play with the court like this to not delay the game.

"They were measuring some things. That's all I want to say at this time. Let's talk about the game," Moore said during the broadcast.

[Mar 31, 2024 at 3:32 pm ET · Isabel Gonzalez]

NC State's journey ended at the Elite Eight two years ago, but now they have another chance at reaching the Final Four for the first time since 1998. The Wolfpack are registering 73.8 points per game with all five starters averaging double figures. Junior guard Aziaha James leads the way with 16.4 points shooting at 41.5% from the field. 

[Mar 31, 2024 at 3:26 pm ET · Isabel Gonzalez]

(1) Texas vs. (3) NC State is underway!

The Longhorns have advanced to the Elite Eight three of the last four seasons, but they haven't made the Final Four since 2003.

Texas is led by freshman Madison Booker's 16.5 points per contest. Booker was a wing in high school but took over Rori Harmon's duties after the star point guard suffered a season-ending injury. The Longhorns have five players averaging over nine points per game, but their strength is their suffocating defense. They have held opponents to just 47.7 points per game and 32.1% shooting from the field in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.