Alright, here’s a rewritten and expanded version of the provided article about the first round of the 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament, formatted in Markdown and exceeding 600 words.

Women’s March Madness: Chalk Holds Strong, but Upsets Lurk

The 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament is officially underway, and if your bracket was leaning towards the favorites, you’re likely feeling pretty good right now. The first round, which tipped off on Friday, largely followed the script, with higher-seeded teams asserting their dominance. However, March Madness is known for its unpredictability, and a couple of upsets did manage to shake things up, reminding everyone that no game is a guaranteed win.

The most notable upsets saw No. 7 Vanderbilt fall in a hard-fought overtime battle against No. 10 Oregon, and No. 10 South Dakota State take down No. 7 Oklahoma State. These results serve as a potent reminder that seedings are just numbers, and come tournament time, anything can happen when teams leave it all on the court. The pressure cooker environment of March Madness can lead to surprising outcomes, making it essential to respect every opponent regardless of their ranking.

The top seeds, for the most part, lived up to expectations. Three of the four No. 1 seeds – UCLA, South Carolina, and USC – cruised into the second round with relative ease. They showcased their championship caliber, dominating their first-round opponents by an average margin of victory of a staggering 48 points. These teams sent a clear message to the rest of the field: they are here to compete for the title, and they won’t be taken lightly.

Leading the charge in terms of sheer dominance was No. 2 UConn, who delivered a historic performance with a 103-34 victory over No. 15 Arkansas State. This 69-point victory tied for the seventh-largest margin of victory in the history of the Women’s March Madness tournament, a testament to UConn’s offensive firepower and suffocating defense. The tournament record for the largest blowout remains Baylor’s 89-point victory over Texas Southern in a 2017 Elite Eight game, a mark that illustrates the potential for lopsided contests even in the later stages of the tournament.

Before we look ahead to the second round, let’s take a closer look at some of the most dominant performances from the opening round, performances that underscore the intensity and talent on display in this year’s tournament.

UConn’s dismantling of Arkansas State was a statement win. Azzi Fudd, in her first tournament appearance since 2023, exploded for 27 points on efficient shooting, going 10-for-13 from the field and 6-for-9 from beyond the arc. Fudd also dished out a career-high seven assists, demonstrating her all-around game. Freshman Sarah Strong continued her impressive run, recording her fourth consecutive double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds, adding five assists and five blocks for good measure. She became the first player in 25 years to reach that impressive stat line in a tournament game. UConn capitalized on Arkansas State’s mistakes, scoring a remarkable 35 points off turnovers, and holding the Red Wolves to a dismal 12-of-70 shooting performance from the field.

Duke also delivered a convincing first-round win, recording their largest margin of victory of the season against Lehigh, while also holding Lehigh to the second-lowest point total in NCAA Women’s Tournament history. The Blue Devils’ balanced attack was on full display, with three players scoring in double figures. Sophomore Oluchi Okananwa led the way with 15 points, seven rebounds, three steals, and two assists. Duke’s defense was particularly impressive, holding the Mountain Hawks to single-digit scoring in each quarter of the game. Okananwa aptly summarized the team’s mindset, emphasizing the importance of approaching every game with the same intensity, regardless of the opponent.

South Carolina, motivated by what they perceived as a snub for the No. 1 overall seed, unleashed their frustration on Tennessee Tech with a resounding 60-point victory. Freshman Joyce Edwards led the Gamecocks with 22 points, while MiLaysia Fulwiley added 15. South Carolina’s bench, which leads the nation in points per game, showcased its depth, contributing a tournament record 66 bench points. Raven Johnson’s energy and defensive prowess were also instrumental in the Gamecocks’ dominant performance. Dawn Staley, South Carolina’s head coach, even received a gem-studded chain from a super fan, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.

Notre Dame, seeking to regain their form after losing three of their last five games, bounced back with a dominant first-round win, surpassing 100 points in March Madness for only the second time in program history. Five players scored in double figures, led by Sonia Citron and Hannah Hidalgo, who each scored 24 points. The Fighting Irish emphasized defense, forcing 28 turnovers and recording 18 steals. However, the victory was marred by an ankle injury to Olivia Miles, whose status for the remainder of the tournament remains uncertain.

USC also made a statement, holding Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to the second-lowest point total in NCAA Women’s Tournament history and securing their largest margin of victory in a March Madness game, with a 46 point difference. Sophomore JuJu Watkins led the Trojans with 22 points, eight rebounds, and three steals, continuing her streak of scoring in double figures in every game this season. Senior Kiki Iriafen added a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. The Trojans capitalized on turnovers, scoring 32 points off of 23 miscues, and held the Islanders to a meager 7-of-54 shooting performance from the field.

Kansas State, bolstered by the return of star center Ayoka Lee, soundly defeated Fairfield by 44 points. Lee, in her first game in nearly a month, posted a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Guard Serena Sundell nearly achieved a double-double herself, with 18 points and nine assists. Kansas State dominated the boards, outrebounding Fairfield 44-19, and limited the Stags to 15-of-51 shooting.

UCLA, the No. 1 overall seed, lived up to their billing by setting a program record for the largest margin of victory in March Madness history. Six Bruins scored in double figures, led by Lauren Betts’ 14 points, six blocks, four assists, and one steal. The Bruins are seeking their first Final Four appearance in program history, having reached the Elite Eight twice and the Sweet Sixteen nine times, most recently last season.

The first round provided excitement and demonstrated the depth of talent across the field. While some teams performed as expected, others struggled, reminding everyone of the unpredictable nature of March Madness. As we move into the second round, the stakes get higher, and the competition intensifies. The teams that survived the first round will need to continue to execute at a high level if they hope to advance further and compete for the ultimate prize: the national championship. The games are just beginning.