NCAAW Weekend Recaps
Sunday Shootouts: The Century Club and Conference Statements
Welcome back to the Sanchez Sideline Report! If you like offense, Sunday was your day. We saw conference play tip off with authority, legends honored in Storrs, and scoreboards lighting up like Christmas trees across the country. Four different ranked teams dropped 100+ points yesterday, proving that the top tier of women's college basketball is playing at a frightening pace.
Here is your breakdown of a high-scoring Sunday.
BIG TEN: UCLA Flexes in Opener
Score: No. 4 UCLA 80, Oregon 59
The Ducks came into Sunday as one of the few remaining unbeaten teams, off to their best start since 2016. The Bruins sent them home with a reality check.
The Dominator: Lauren Betts. The 6-foot-7 center was simply unguardable in the Big Ten opener. She posted season highs across the board: 24 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 blocks. When Betts is controlling the paint like that (UCLA won the paint battle 40-28), the Bruins are nearly impossible to beat.
The Flow: This wasn't a slow burn; it was a wire-to-wire statement. UCLA jumped out to a 19-8 lead and used a 10-2 run in the second quarter to bury the Ducks. By halftime, it was 49-26.
Sanchez’s Take:
"UCLA knocked the Ducks from the ranks of the unbeaten with pure physicality. Winning the rebounding battle 52-29 isn't just winning; it's bullying. With Betts in the middle and playmakers like Gianna Kneepkens (17 points) on the perimeter, the Bruins look ready for the Big Ten grind."
THE CENTURY CLUB: Offense Explodes
It wasn't just about winning Sunday; it was about running up the score.
No. 1 UConn 102, DePaul 35
On a day when the Huskies retired Sue Bird’s No. 10, the current squad put on a performance worthy of a legend.
The Spark: UConn opened with a 14-0 run and led 58-18 at the half.
The Stars: Sophomore phenom Sarah Strong filled the stat sheet (20 pts, 5 reb, 5 stl, 4 ast), and Azzi Fudd dropped 16 points in the first half alone.
The Streak: That’s 40 straight Big East regular-season wins and 27 straight against DePaul.
No. 3 South Carolina 106, NC Central 42
The Gamecocks are battered, bruised, and sick—but they are still the champs. Despite missing starter Tessa Johnson (illness) and losing Madina Okot to injury mid-game, South Carolina rolled.
The Adjustments: Down to just seven or eight healthy players, Coach Dawn Staley said, “We're just going to play the hand that we're dealt.”
The Response: Ta'Niya Latson exploded for a season-high 32 points, and Joyce Edwards added 25. After a sluggish 7-4 deficit early, they used a 25-0 run in the third quarter to erase any doubt.
No. 5 LSU 126, New Orleans 62
Kim Mulkey’s Tigers continue to score at a historic clip.
Paint Dominance: LSU scored a staggering 86 points in the paint.
The Efficiency: Kate Koval was perfect, shooting 9-of-9 for a career-high 22 points.
Showtime: MiLaysia Fulwiley (18 pts) dazzled with a behind-the-back dime to Amiya Joyner. This team has now cracked 100 points in nine of its 10 games.
No. 6 Michigan 104, Purdue 56
The Wolverines opened Big Ten play by dismantling Purdue.
The Trio: Michigan’s three sophomore guards continue to shine. Olivia Olson led the way with 26 points, while Syla Swords added 16.
The moment: Macy Brown hit a free throw with 1:48 left to break the century mark, sending the Crisler Center into a frenzy.
ACC: The Irish and Tar Heels Cruise
No. 18 Notre Dame 93, Florida State 58
The Fighting Irish made a statement in their ACC opener, starting the game on a 20-0 run.
Key Performer: Cassandre Prosper dropped 21 points, while Malaya Cowles recorded a double-double (14 pts, 13 reb) off the bench—her first since her freshman year at Wake Forest.
The Closer: After FSU cut the lead, Notre Dame slammed the door shut, scoring 52 points in the second half on 58% shooting.
No. 11 North Carolina 82, Boston University 40
Defense was the story in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels forced 22 turnovers and turned them into 24 points.
The Run: A 19-3 run to open the third quarter put this game on ice. Elina Aarnisalo led a balanced attack with 14 points.
HBCU SPOTLIGHT: Bulldogs Bite Back
Alabama A&M 77, Miles College 55
The Bulldogs are heating up, securing back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
The Lockdown: Alabama A&M’s defense was suffocating, holding Miles without a field goal for 10 minutes bridging the first and second quarters.
The Finisher: Kalia Walker was clutch, scoring 12 of her 16 points in the second half and going a perfect 11-for-11 from the free-throw line.
The Stat: The Bulldogs dominated the glass (45-33) and the paint (32-26), proving too physical for the Golden Bears.
The Sanchez Takeaway:
"We are seeing a divide in women's basketball right now. The top teams aren't just winning; they are overwhelming opponents with depth and conditioning. South Carolina scoring 106 with a depleted roster is terrifying for the rest of the country. And keep an eye on UCLA—Betts gives them a post presence that very few teams can match. Conference play is here, and the intensity just leveled up."
Coming Up:
Can anyone slow down these offenses? We will keep tracking the numbers as we head deeper into December. Stay tuned!
