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Washington beats South Dakota State 72-54 for 1st women's NCAA Tournament win since 2017

— Avery Howell had 30 points and nine rebounds to lead Washington to its first women's NCAA Tournament victory since 2017, beating South Dakota State 72-54 on Friday.

Women's March Madness Day 1: First-round scores, analysis

We're breaking down all 16 games Friday and how each winner can advance to the Sweet 16.

Kyndal Walker scores 20 points to lead Maryland past Murray State 99-67

— Redshirt freshman Kyndal Walker scored a career-high 20 points and she had plenty of help from Maryland teammates as the Terrapins defeated Murray State 99-67 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday.

Murray State Racers vs. Maryland Terrapins: Game Highlights

Murray State Racers vs. Maryland Terrapins: Game Highlights

Toby Fournier scores 24, Duke beats Charleston 81-64 in 1st round of women's NCAA Tournament

— Toby Fournier scored 24 points on 11-of-18 shooting and Duke maintained its momentum by opening the first round of March Madness with an 81-64 victory over the College of Charleston on Friday.

Fiso and Oregon use big 3rd quarter to open March Madness with 70-60 win over Virginia Tech

— Katie Fiso scored 22 points and Oregon used a dominant third quarter to pull away from Virginia Tech for a 70-60 win Friday to open the women's NCAA Tournament.

Olivia Miles gets triple-double as TCU beats UC San Diego in 1st round of March Madness

— Olivia Miles had her 12th career triple-double with 12 points and career highs of 16 rebounds and 14 assists as third-seeded TCU beat UC San Diego 86-40 in a first-round NCAA Tournament game...

Baylor rallies to beat Nebraska 67-62 in March Madness opener after winning appeal on flagrant foul

— Taliah Scott scored 15 points and Baylor rallied from a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter, making 11 of 14 free throws down the stretch, to beat Nebraska 67-62 on Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Baylor Bears: Game Highlights

Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Baylor Bears: Game Highlights

South Dakota State Jackrabbits vs. Washington Huskies: Game Highlights

South Dakota State Jackrabbits vs. Washington Huskies: Game Highlights

Olivia Miles has historic triple-double as TCU bests UC San Diego

Olivia Miles had her 12th career triple-double as third-seeded TCU beat UC San Diego 86-40 in a first-round NCAA tournament game.

Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Oregon Ducks: Game Highlights

Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Oregon Ducks: Game Highlights

UC San Diego Tritons vs. TCU Horned Frogs: Game Highlights

UC San Diego Tritons vs. TCU Horned Frogs: Game Highlights

Charleston Cougars vs. Duke Blue Devils: Game Highlights

Charleston Cougars vs. Duke Blue Devils: Game Highlights

Jordan Wood nails a deep 3 to extend Duke's lead

Jordan Wood drills the trey

Women's college basketball tournament: UConn odds-on favorite; UCLA, Texas, South Carolina next

Odds for each team to advance through the bracket and to win the 2026 women's college basketball championship.

Teams with worst records to make NCAA basketball tournament

Despite a losing record, these women's and men's basketball teams still found a way into the NCAA tournament.

March Madness and NCAA tournament history: Stats and records

Get pumped for the 2026 NCAA tournament by freshening up on notable records and facts from March Madness history.

Women's basketball tournament betting: Odds, spreads, totals and BPI projection for every game

Money lines, spreads, totals and BPI for the first round of the women's tournament.

Sources: WNBA's new CBA expedites ability to land max deals

A new provision in the WNBA's pending CBA fast-tracks the ability for players on rookie-scale contracts to make maximum and supermax salaries, sources told ESPN.

Iowa State and Syracuse play in opening round of NCAA Tournament

Syracuse Orange (23-8, 13-7 ACC) vs. Iowa State Cyclones (22-9, 10-9 Big 12)

Oklahoma State Cowgirls take on Princeton Tigers in first round of NCAA Tournament

Princeton Tigers (26-3, 14-2 Ivy League) vs. Oklahoma State Cowgirls (23-9, 12-7 Big 12)

UConn and UTSA square off in first round of NCAA Tournament

UTSA Roadrunners (18-15, 13-9 AAC) at UConn Huskies (34-0, 23-0 Big East)

Georgia takes on Virginia in opening round of NCAA Tournament

Virginia Cavaliers (20-11, 11-8 ACC) vs. Georgia Lady Bulldogs (22-9, 8-9 SEC)

South Carolina Gamecocks play the Southern Jaguars in first round of NCAA Tournament

Southern Jaguars (20-13, 15-6 SWAC) at South Carolina Gamecocks (31-3, 17-3 SEC)

Sources: WNBA salary cap set to top $10M by end of new CBA

The projected salary cap under the pending WNBA collective bargaining agreement is set to exceed $10 million by the end of the agreement, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.

What the 2026 WNBA CBA means for league, players, salaries

Is this CBA truly transformational? Breaking down the impact of the WNBA's new deal.

Denver sign Yazmeen Ryan, Delanie Sheehan from Houston

NWSL expansion side Denver Summit FC has signed forward Yazmeen Ryan and midfielder Delanie Sheehan from the Houston Dash in a major trade one week into the 2026 NWSL season.

Chicago Stars halt Northwestern stadium plan switch

The Chicago Stars announced on Wednesday that they are no longer pursuing Northwestern University's Ryan Field as a 2027 home venue "at this time" following pushback from residents and politicians.

Shams details WNBA collective bargaining agreement

Shams Charania details what is included in the groundbreaking WNBA collective bargaining agreement.

Angel City, Japan star Hina Sugita out for season with torn ACL

Angel City FC midfielder Hina Sugita has torn her left ACL and will be placed on the season-ending injury list, the team announced on Tuesday.

At last, league and union agree to new WNBA CBA

The salary cap of the new CBA will reportedly start at $7 million, with the supermax salary starting at $1.4 million.

Phillipou: New WNBA CBA a 'transformational deal'

Alexa Philippou says the verbal agreement on a new CBA between the WNBA and players' union will change the landscape of the league.

WNBA, players agree in principle to new CBA

The WNBA and Women's National Basketball Players Association reach a verbal agreement on the terms of a new collective bargaining agreement.

USWNT transfer grades: Rodman, Heaps, Macario and more moves

A bunch of USWNT stars have moved in-and-out of the NWSL and Europe on big-money deals. Let's grade them all!

Barbra Banda, Trinity Rodman, Lindsey Heaps - 10 NWSL Players to Watch in 2026

The 2026 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) season is underway, with big names to watch. USA stars Lindsey Heaps and Catarina Macario arrive soon from Europe, joining the likes of Barbra Banda and Trinity Rodman.

Gotham FC to play Washington Spirit in NWSL Citi Field debut

Reigning NWSL champions Gotham FC will play at Citi Field, home of MLB's New York Mets, on July 15 against the Washington Spirit in a rematch of the 2025 NWSL Championship.

NWSL Power Rankings: Portland goes No. 1 in 2026's first week

With the first matchday of the 2026 season in the books, ESPN ranks all 16 NWSL clubs from first to worst in this week's edition of Power Rankings.

Sources: Catarina Macario signs record NWSL deal with San Diego

United States forward Catarina Macario has joined the San Diego Wave FC ahead of the NWSL's transfer window on what is believed to be the biggest total contract value in women's soccer history, sources confirmed to ESPN.

Stephen A.'s message to the WNBA: 'Get a deal done!'

Stephen A. Smith sides with the players as the WNBA and its players' union remain at odds over a new CBA.

Savy King plays in 1st Angel City game since cardiac event

Savy King returned to action for the first time in over 10 months when she came on as a substitute during Angel City's win over Chicago Stars FC on Sunday night in Los Angeles.

Angel City FC vs. Chicago Stars - Game Highlights

Watch the Game Highlights from Angel City FC vs. Chicago Stars, 03/16/2026

Maiara Carolina Niehues scores goal for Angel City FC

Maiara Carolina Niehues scores goal for Angel City FC

Jess Fishlock scores in the 24'

Jess Fishlock scores goal for Seattle Reign FC

Jane Campbell makes a great save

Jane Campbell makes a great save

Bay FC vs. Denver Summit FC - Game Highlights

Watch the Game Highlights from Bay FC vs. Denver Summit FC, 03/15/2026

Kansas City Current vs. Utah Royals - Game Highlights

Watch the Game Highlights from Kansas City Current vs. Utah Royals, 03/15/2026

Boston Legacy make NWSL history but lose long-awaited opener

After roughly three years of planning, stadium renovation setbacks and a branding mulligan, Boston's arrival in NWSL was a moment for the club and the league to celebrate.

Boston Legacy FC fall to NJ/NY Gotham FC in franchise's first game

Boston Legacy FC fall to NJ/NY Gotham FC in franchise's first game

NWSL needs its stars to shine, as Rodman and Wilson return to action

The story that the NWSL is trying to tell is one of star power, quality and entertainment. And that's why it needs its biggest stars on the field.

Washington Spirit vs. Portland Thorns FC - Game Highlights

Watch the Game Highlights from Washington Spirit vs. Portland Thorns FC

Wilson returns from maternity leave in Thorns' NWSL opener victory

Sophia Wilson's return and Olivia Moultrie's winning strike highlighted the National Women's Soccer League season opener in the Portland Thorns' victory over the Washington Spirit on Friday night.

Moultrie strike powers Portland Thorns past Washington Spirit in NWSL opener

Olivia Moultrie scored in the second half to give the Portland Thorns a 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit in the National Women's Soccer League season opener.