Women's March Madness 2026: Sweet 16 Results & Updates

Women's March Madness 2026: Sweet 16 Takes Shape After Dramatic Second-Round Action

The 2026 Women's NCAA Tournament is delivering everything fans could ask for — overtime thrillers, blowout victories, a historic upset, and last-second heroics. As the bracket narrows toward the Sweet 16, the field is being defined by dominant No. 1 seeds and a handful of gritty mid-major programs refusing to go quietly. With Monday's second-round games still to come, the women's tournament is at its most electric moment of the early rounds.

Here's a full breakdown of everything that's happened so far and what's at stake as the Sweet 16 field gets finalized on March 23, 2026.

All Eight Top Seeds Advance After Dominant Sunday

Sunday, March 22 was a statement day for the tournament's elite programs. All eight No. 1 seeds advanced to the Sweet 16, a result that underscores the depth of talent at the top of the women's game this season.

The most eye-catching result came from No. 1 seed Texas, which demolished No. 8 Oregon 100-58 — a stunning performance that saw the Longhorns crack the century mark. Meanwhile, No. 2 LSU put on an equally dominant display, routing No. 7 Texas Tech by 54 points in one of the most lopsided results in recent tournament memory. These weren't just wins; they were declarations of intent.

Not every top seed had it easy, however. No. 3 TCU needed overtime to dispatch No. 6 Washington 62-59, surviving a scare to reach a second consecutive Sweet 16. It was the kind of tight, grinding game that showcases just how competitive women's college basketball has become at every level of the bracket.

Minnesota's Last-Second Magic and the Best Moments So Far

If a single moment has defined the 2026 tournament so far, it belongs to No. 4 seed Minnesota. The Golden Gophers punched their ticket to the Sweet 16 — their first since 2005 — on a last-second jumper from Amaya Battle over No. 5 Ole Miss. The buzzer-beater sent Minnesota's bench and fans into absolute chaos and instantly became one of the tournament's signature plays.

Battle's shot encapsulates why March Madness captures the nation's attention every year: any team, any player, any moment can become unforgettable. For Minnesota, it ends a two-decade Sweet 16 drought in the most dramatic fashion imaginable.

The drama didn't begin on Sunday, either. On Saturday, March 21, No. 9 Virginia pulled off the tournament's biggest upset of the first round, knocking off No. 7 Georgia in overtime. Virginia's run is one of the most compelling stories in the bracket, and the Cavaliers aren't done yet — they face No. 2 Iowa on Monday, making them the only remaining double-digit seed in the field.

UConn, South Carolina, and UCLA Poised to Complete the Sweet 16

Three of the tournament's four No. 1 seeds — UConn, South Carolina, and UCLA — are all in action Monday to wrap up the second round and set the full Sweet 16 lineup. Each program has looked formidable in the early going.

South Carolina, the defending powerhouse, opened the tournament with a first-round win over Southern that was tied for the seventh-largest margin of victory in NCAA Tournament history. The Gamecocks have been on a mission since tip-off.

UCLA has been powered in large part by center Lauren Betts, who posted 22 points and 10 rebounds in the first round. Adding to the story, her sister Sienna and teammate Angela Dugalic also recorded double-doubles in the same game — a remarkable family and team achievement that's drawn national attention to the Bruins' frontcourt depth.

UConn faces Syracuse on Monday in what should be a compelling matchup. The Huskies have been a perennial force in the women's tournament and arrive at the second round with momentum on their side after Saturday's first-round cruise.

Check the full Monday schedule, TV channels, and tip-off times to catch all the action live.

Virginia's Cinderella Run: The Last Double-Digit Seed Standing

Of all the storylines in the 2026 Women's NCAA Tournament, No. 10 Virginia may be the most compelling. After upsetting No. 7 Georgia in overtime in the first round, the Cavaliers are the only double-digit seed still alive in the field — a testament to their resilience and competitive spirit.

Monday's matchup against No. 2 Iowa is the tournament's most intriguing David vs. Goliath contest remaining in the second round. Iowa enters as a heavy favorite, but Virginia has already proven it can win in a hostile environment. If the Cavaliers pull off another upset, their run will be the talk of the tournament.

For fans following the latest Women's March Madness results and scores, keeping an eye on the Virginia-Iowa game is essential.

Full Tournament Timeline: How the Bracket Unfolded

• March 20 (Friday): The first round opened with all 16 higher seeds winning, setting up a bracket with no major early upsets beyond seeding expectations.
• March 21 (Saturday): No. 9 Virginia stunned No. 7 Georgia in overtime for the round's biggest upset. No. 1 seeds UConn, South Carolina, and UCLA all cruised to first-round victories by comfortable margins.
• March 22 (Sunday): All eight No. 1 seeds clinched Sweet 16 berths. TCU survived overtime against Washington. Minnesota's Amaya Battle hit a last-second game-winner over Ole Miss. LSU posted a historic 54-point blowout against Texas Tech. Texas scored over 100 points against Oregon.
• March 23 (Monday): Second-round action continues with Iowa vs. Virginia, UConn vs. Syracuse, South Carolina vs. USC, and UCLA vs. Oklahoma State — completing the full Sweet 16 field.

For detailed score updates on today's games, including the latest updates from Monday's matchups, broadcast listings are available across major sports networks.

What to Watch as the Sweet 16 Approaches

With the second round wrapping up, the Sweet 16 promises a significant step up in competition. A few key storylines to follow:

• Can Virginia keep the magic alive? No. 10 seeds rarely reach the Elite Eight, but this team has already defied expectations once.
• Will LSU's offense remain unstoppable? A 54-point margin of victory is not a fluke — it's a warning to everyone remaining in the field.
• Is this UConn's year to reclaim the title? The Huskies are perennial contenders and have looked sharp through the early rounds.
• How deep can UCLA's frontcourt carry them? Lauren Betts and company have the size and skill to match up with anyone in the tournament.
• Will Minnesota ride the momentum of Battle's buzzer-beater? Emotional wins can fuel deep tournament runs — history says so.

Frequently Asked Questions About Women's March Madness 2026

Who are the No. 1 seeds in the 2026 Women's NCAA Tournament?

The four No. 1 seeds in the 2026 Women's NCAA Tournament are UConn, South Carolina, UCLA, and Texas. All four advanced through the first round and are either already in or completing their path to the Sweet 16.

When is the Sweet 16 for the Women's Tournament in 2026?

The Sweet 16 field will be finalized after Monday's second-round games on March 23, 2026. Sweet 16 games are scheduled to follow later in the tournament bracket cycle. Check your local sports listings for updated schedules and broadcast details.

What was the biggest upset in the 2026 Women's Tournament so far?

The biggest upset of the first round was No. 9 Virginia defeating No. 7 Georgia in overtime on Saturday, March 21. Virginia is the last remaining double-digit seed in the tournament and faces No. 2 Iowa in the second round on Monday.

Who hit the game-winning shot for Minnesota in the second round?

Guard Amaya Battle hit a last-second jumper over Ole Miss defender to advance Minnesota to the Sweet 16 — the program's first since 2005. The buzzer-beater instantly became one of the defining moments of the 2026 tournament.

How do I watch the Women's NCAA Tournament games today?

Second-round games are broadcast across ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, and related network channels. You can stream games through ESPN+ and the ESPN app with a valid cable or streaming subscription. Full TV schedules and tip-off times for today's games are available online.

Conclusion: Women's March Madness 2026 Is Must-Watch Basketball

The 2026 Women's NCAA Tournament has already delivered everything March Madness promises — last-second heroics, dominant powerhouse performances, overtime drama, and a genuine Cinderella story in Virginia. As Monday's games complete the Sweet 16 field, the stage is set for an even more intense stretch of postseason basketball.

Whether you're following UConn's championship chase, rooting for Minnesota to sustain their momentum, or hoping Virginia can keep its improbable run alive, there's no shortage of reasons to be watching right now. The Sweet 16 is just around the corner — and based on everything we've seen so far, the best is very likely yet to come.