NCAA Women's Tournament scores, Sweet 16 highlights: UConn holds off Duke; USC, Iowa and LSU advance

The Sweet 16 is in the books, and now it's on to the Elite Eight with some incredible matchups on tap

LSU and Iowa met in one of the most thrilling national championships in recent memory a season ago, and we are set for Part II on Monday night thanks to wins by both teams on Saturday.

Flau'jae Johnson went off for 24 points and 12 rebounds to lead LSU to a hard-fought Sweet 16 win over UCLA. The Tigers trailed with under three minutes to go, but Johnson and Co. finished the game on a 14-2 run to send Lauren Betts and the Bruins home. Betts was incredible in a losing effort, recording 14 points, 17 rebounds and four blocks while playing tough defense on Angel Reese. It was yet another inefficient scoring outing for Reese (16 points on 5-of-12 shooting), but she made a huge impact elsewhere by tallying 11 rebounds, two blocks and four steals. 

Shorty after, Iowa punched its ticket to the Elite Eight with another strong showing from superstar Caitlin Clark. The Hawkeyes rolled past Colorado in a runaway thanks to 29 points and 15 assists from the projected No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft. The win sets up one of the biggest matchups of the tournament with Iowa vs. LSU locked in for Monday night. It's a rematch of the 2023 national championship game where the Tigers romped past the Hawkeyes to claim the program's first title. Now, they square off with a berth in the Final Four at stake. 

Out west, No. 1 seed USC held off a late run from No. 5 seed Baylor to advance to its first Elite Eight since 1994. Star freshman Juju Watkins led the way for the Trojans with 30 points on 8-for-28 from the field. It was her late free-throw shooting that sealed the deal and she was nearly perfect from the line going 12-of-13. Sarah Andrews led the Bears with 17 points, including 5-of-13 from behind the arc.

In the final game of the day, UConn hung on for a 53-45 win over Duke. The Huskies held the Blue Devils to just 13 points in the first half, led by as much as 20 in the second half and forced 23 turnovers, but seemed to run out of gas down the stretch. They had just enough to hold off the Blue Devils' furious comeback attempt, however, to get back to the Elite Eight, where they'll meet USC. Paige Bueckers led the way with 24 points and five rebounds. 

You can catch up on all the action from a wild Saturday below. Thanks for stopping by and come back on Sunday for more coverage of the Elite Eight.

2024 NCAA Women's Tournament Sweet 16 scores

All times Eastern | NCAA Tournament schedule | LIVE bracket

Saturday, March 30

• (3) LSU 78, (2) UCLA 69 -- Recap
• (1) Iowa 89, (5) Colorado 68 -- Recap
• (1) USC 74, (5) Baylor 70 -- Recap
• (3) Connecticut 53, (7) Duke 45

[Mar 30, 2024 at 10:24 pm ET · Isabel Gonzalez]

(3) UConn 53, (7) Duke 45 | Final

UConn forced 23 turnovers while dominating most of the game. Duke got within five points late in the fourth quarter but the Huskies hanged on to advance to the Elite Eight an take on USC. 

Paige Bueckers led the Huskies with 24 points while also adding five rebounds, two blocks and three steals.

This is the first time UConn men's and women's basketball are in the Elite Eight at the same time since 2014. Both won their respective championships that year. 

[Mar 30, 2024 at 8:02 pm ET · Isabel Gonzalez]

(1) USC 74, (5) Baylor 70 | Final

It was only a one-point game with 22.8 seconds remaining, but the Trojans were able to hang on despite a very persistent Baylor team. This was not a game for the faint of heart as it was full of high energy and 11 lead changes. Sarah Andrews hit the 3-pointer that had put the Bears within one point, but JuJu Watkins extended the USC lead with two shots from the charity line. Another free throw by Rayah Marshall with eight seconds remaining sealed the deal.

Watkins led all scorers with 30 points, while also adding six rebounds, four assists, four blocks and a steal. Andrews led the Bears' effort with 17 points. 

USC is advancing to its first Elite Eight since 1994.

[Mar 30, 2024 at 10:17 pm ET · Isabel Gonzalez]

Duke is not done yet

It's only a five point game with 49 seconds remaining as UConn leads 50-45. Quick reminder that this is the same team that upset No. 2 Ohio State in the round of 32. UConn was up by as many as 20 points in the third quarter, but Duke is winning the fourth quarter 18-8.

[Mar 30, 2024 at 10:07 pm ET · Isabel Gonzalez]

UConn holds a 48-37 advantage with 4:46 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Paige Buecekrs is leading all scorers with 21 points. Her solid performance offensively is what the team needs right now as Aaliyah Edwards, who has 10 points so far, currently has four personal fouls. KK Arnold is also having a good night for the Huskies with 12 points as well as four assists and five steals. 

[Mar 30, 2024 at 9:52 pm ET · Isabel Gonzalez]

UConn star Paige Bueckers has 19 points, as many as the entire Duke team (trailing 19-39) with under three minutes remaining in the third quarter. She is 8-for-16 from the field while Duke is 8-for-35.

[Mar 30, 2024 at 9:22 pm ET · Isabel Gonzalez]

Fewest Points Scored in First Half of Sweet 16 Game Women's NCAA Tournament History:

                                   Opponents    Pts

• 1999  Texas Tech   Rutgers          11
  
• 2016  Miss St         UConn           12
  
• 2024  Duke            UConn            13 <<
  
• 2012  St. Bona       Notre Dame   13
  

[Mar 30, 2024 at 9:20 pm ET · Isabel Gonzalez]

(3) UConn 21, (7) Duke 13 | Halftime

This has not been the prettiest game of the tournament for either team. UConn is shooting 39% from the field with Aaliyah Edwards and Paige Bueckers putting up 10 and nine points respectively. 

Meanwhile, Duke went at least seven minutes without scoring a single point in a drought that started in the first period and did not end until halfway through the second quarter. The Blue Devils are 5-for-24 from the field and Reigan Richardson owns two of those field goals on her way to collecting four points. 

Duke is outrebounding UConn 24-15, but the team has as many turnovers as points in the first two quarters. 

[Mar 30, 2024 at 9:09 pm ET · Isabel Gonzalez]

Seven minutes scoreless

Since late in the first quarter, Duke had not scored a single point in seven minutes. Oluchi Okananwa finally got a jumper for the Blue Devils at the 4:46 mark in the second quarter.