Last night was a huge surprise; despite many cancelations, there were a lot of big games on tap, and they did not disappoint. Missouri upset number one South Carolina, Virginia Tech upset 15th ranked Duke, and Michigan State upset undefeated Nebraska. These three upsets headlined a shocking night in Women’s Hoops. This piece will focus on what these games mean for each team and impact their seasons.
Three Upsets headline a Shocking Night in Women’s Hoops
Missouri Upsets SC 70-69 in OT
This game was not expected to be that close; Missouri was playing without their star Aijha Blackwell tonight due to COVID protocols. Blackwell averages 16 points on the year, and replacing her seemed like a monumental task. Missouri only had seven eligible players for tonight’s game, and they had minimal size. SC has three players Aliyah Boston, Kamilla Cardoso, and Victaria Saxton, who each have the size to dominate this game, but that did not happen. Missouri got incredible contributions from both Lauren Hansen and Hayley Frank. Hansen scored 21 points, including the game-winning layup in overtime with just .1 seconds left. Frank also had 21 points and drew several huge charges that put SC in a challenging situation.
Key Game Events
Boston was in foul trouble early on and only scored one point in the first half. Missouri was hitting their threes, and as a result, they were up by six at the half. However, that lead evaporated immediately since SC came out inspired in the third quarter scoring five straight. By the end of the quarter, the game was tied at 45. Missouri played well in the fourth, taking a six-point lead at 60-54 with 5 minutes to go. SC came back and tied the game at 62 with 1:44 to go. With one minute left, Haley Troup got a steal, went to the rim, and was fouled. She made one of two free throws. Then Mama Dembele was fouled and only made one of two. The score was 64-62, with just 25 seconds left. SC got the ball into Boston, who scored to tie the game.
The game would go to overtime, and SC went on a 5-0 run to begin the period Missouri looked gassed. Hansen made a layup to cut the lead to three. Then Frank hit a layup with less than a minute to cut the lead to one. With 26 seconds left, SC had a chance, but they missed the layup. Missouri got the ball and had a chance to win. Instead, Hansen drove to the rim and scored less than a second to win the game.
Virginia Tech Upset Duke 77-55
The Hokies won a huge game last night to strengthen their tournament resume. Elizabeth Kitley scored 27 points to help lead her team to a victory. Duke was down one of their best players in this game Shayeann Day-Wilson this dynamic freshman is one of the best in the conference and may have changed this result. Duke is much more potent on offense with her in the game. The Blue Devils went 3-18 from three last night. Virginia Tech dominated from the jump and never let Duke back in. This win will catapult the Hokies to an excellent ACC season and a tournament birth; An idea that sounded farfetched after their loss to Liberty earlier this year.
Michigan State upsets undefeated Nebraska 72-69
This season, Nebraska was off to a 12-0 start, but they did not get too many big wins. They beat Wake Forest, Drake, and Creighton, which are excellent wins, but they are not ranked. That big win that could put them over the edge is not present. Last night they faced a depleted Michigan State team who was just 7-6. Michigan State was down to just seven players thanks to COVID and the transfer of Alyza Winston. Winston was the best player before she transferred, starting all ten games. The Spartans did not have many guards left on the roster for last night’s game. Matilda Ekh stepped up taking on the point guard role last night. Ekh showed superior skill by helping lead her team to a flawless victory. Nia Clouden had 32 points and was given support because three other players scored ten plus points. Clouden is their best player, but this support is new and will change their season. Michigan State will turn their season around because they have the drive and determination to make the tournament.
These three upsets headlined a shocking night in Women’s hoops. One that gives everyone hopes to cut down the nets. The field now is wide open after SC went down for the first time. I cannot wait to see what the rest of the season has in store. There will be a new number one next week, but that ranking does not mean last week’s. Parity is alive and well, and anyone can win it all this season.
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