Another week of women’s college basketball brought surprises, upsets, and historic moments, proving that no team is untouchable this season. Let’s dive into the top moments and storylines that unfolded in the past week.
Notable Performances
Starting with the notable performances of this week that has catched everyone’s eyes.
1. Bucket of the Week: MiLaysia Fulwiley, South Carolina
South Carolina’s freshman, MiLaysia Fulwiley, showcased her scoring prowess with an almost mid-court shot against Duke. Fulwiley continues to impress with her ability to score in spectacular fashion.
FULWILEY FROM THE LOGO OH MY GOODNESS 😱@milaysiaf | 📺 ABC https://t.co/ItgFQLQzd4 pic.twitter.com/kQmBNLzL8y
— South Carolina Women's Basketball (@GamecockWBB) December 3, 2023
2. Dish of the Week: Kaylynne Truong, Gonzaga
Gonzaga secured a historic win against then-No. 3 Stanford, with Kaylynne Truong leading the team in assists. Truong’s no-look pass to Yvonne Ejim stood out as one of the best dishes of the week.
this pass 😍 this layup 😤 @Twinballerz @_vonnyyy_ pic.twitter.com/Inpjc5DKp7
— Gonzaga Women's Basketball (@ZagWBB) December 3, 2023
3. Stop of the Week: Kamilla Cardoso, South Carolina
In a tough battle against North Carolina, Kamilla Cardoso played a crucial role in South Carolina’s defense. Contributing with four blocks, two steals, and 16 rebounds, Cardoso’s defensive efforts helped secure the Gamecocks’ victory.
Kamilla Cardoso 😂 pic.twitter.com/Kdv7JbXD9A
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) December 1, 2023
Game of the Week: No. 18 Notre Dame vs. No. 20 Tennessee
In a thrilling encounter between No. 18 Notre Dame and No. 20 Tennessee, the Fighting Irish faced adversity with injuries, including the absence of Cassandre Prosper. Despite shooting below 28% in the first half and trailing for over 36 minutes, Notre Dame mounted a comeback. Maddy Westbeld, Kylee Watson, and Nat Marshall stepped up in the second half, combining for 27 points. With the score tied late, Notre Dame secured a 70-68 lead, clinching a hard-fought victory and valuable lessons.
Less than a minute and we're still fighting in Knoxville
— Notre Dame WBB (@ndwbb) November 29, 2023
📺 ESPN2 #GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/tZTwnwTbns
Biggest Storylines
Below are some of those storylines that caught the attention of all. It includes everything from historic wins to astonishing returns.
1. Angel Reese Returns to LSU Lineup
LSU’s Angel Reese, a key player, returned to the lineup after missing four straight games for undisclosed reasons. LSU celebrated a significant win against a ranked Virginia Tech team, with Reese contributing 19 points and nine rebounds.
2. Texas Beats UConn for the First Time in Program History
No. 10 Texas secured an 80-68 victory against No. 11 UConn, marking the first time Texas has defeated UConn in program history. Rori Harmon’s double-double of 27 points and 13 assists played a crucial role in the Longhorns’ historic win.
3. UConn’s Historic Start
UConn faced its earliest season with three losses since the 1980-81 season. The team’s 59.1% shooting from the field in the loss to Texas marked their highest shooting percentage in a loss in at least the last 25 seasons.
4. Kim Mulkey’s Historic Win
LSU coach Kim Mulkey achieved her 700th win against Virginia Tech, making her the fastest coach in college basketball history to reach this milestone.
Interesting Stats
Here are some extraordinary statistics from the game that will leave you to feel multiple emotions, all at once.
1. Powerhouses Stumble on Sunday
UConn, Tennessee, and Stanford all suffered losses on the same day, marking the first time these women’s college basketball powerhouses lost on the same day since Dec. 29, 2004.
2. JuJu Watkins Sets Records
USC’s JuJu Watkins recorded her third straight 30-point game, tying Cheryl Miller’s USC record for consecutive 30-point games. Watkins continues to impress as a freshman.
3. UConn’s Historically Bad Start
This season marks the earliest UConn has suffered three losses since the 1980-81 season, showcasing the team’s challenging start.
4. Kim Mulkey’s Milestone
Kim Mulkey’s achievement of 700 wins makes her the fastest coach to reach this milestone in college basketball history.
In a season filled with unpredictability, women’s college basketball continues to deliver thrilling moments, showcasing the competitiveness of teams across the nation. As powerhouses face challenges and newcomers make their mark, fans can expect more exciting matchups in the weeks to come. Stay tuned for the latest updates and game-changing performances in the world of women’s college basketball.
