Perfect Ten: No. 10 TCU Joins the Heavyweights in the Elite Eight

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The second night of the 2026 Women’s Sweet 16 was a showcase of dominance and precision, as top seeds moved one step closer to the Final Four. While Friday night was defined by heart-stopping buzzer-beaters, Saturday was characterized by efficient, double-digit victories in Sacramento and Fort Worth. Next stop is the Elite Eight.

Here is the in-depth look at Saturday’s Sweet 16 action.

Sacramento Region 3 (Sacramento, CA)

No. 1 South Carolina 94, No. 5 Oklahoma 68

The Gamecocks continued their march toward an undefeated season with a clinical dismantling of the Sooners. Dawn Staley’s squad used a massive 28–12 second-quarter run to turn a competitive game into a rout before halftime.

The Dominance: South Carolina’s interior depth was too much for Oklahoma to handle, as the Gamecocks built a 29-point lead at one point
Stat Leader: Ta’Niya Latson led the way with 28 points, while the South Carolina defense held Oklahoma to just 39% shooting from the field.
The Match: This win sets up a heavyweight Elite Eight showdown against TCU, which played the “spoiler” in the late game.

No. 10 TCU 79, No. 6 Virginia 69

The Horned Frogs’ Cinderella story added another chapter at the Golden 1 Center. As the lowest seed remaining in the tournament, TCU rode a hot shooting night to upset the Cavaliers.

Veteran Poise: Miles recorded 28 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, falling shy of becoming the first woman in Division I history with three career NCAA tournament triple-doubles. Miles has 12 triple-doubles for her career, the third most in Division I history, trailing only Sabrina Ionescu (26) and Caitlin Clark (17).
Key Stretch: A nicerun to start the fourth quarter gave TCU the cushion they needed to secure their first Elite Eight berth in program history.

Fort Worth Region 4 (Fort Worth, TX)

No. 1 Texas 76, No. 4 Kentucky 54

Playing just miles from their campus, the Longhorns looked right at home at Dickies Arena. Texas used a stifling full-court press to rattle the Wildcats early and never looked back.

Defensive Identity: Texas forced Kentucky into 24 turnovers and converted those into 26 points. Madison Booker anchored the offense with 17 points and 8 rebounds.
The Result: The Longhorns advance to the Elite Eight for the fourth time in six years, where they will meet a surging Michigan squad.

No. 7 Michigan 71, No. 11 Louisville 52

The Wolverines dominated the battle of the “double-digit” seeds’ bracket path, ending Louisville’s surprising run with a physical defensive effort.

The Difference: Michigan’s Syla Swords and Olivia Olson were the best players on the floor, scoring 19 and 16 points, respectively, neutralizing Louisville’s perimeter threats. The Wolverines held the Cardinals to a dismal 3-of-14 from three-point range.
Historic Run: This marks Michigan’s deepest tournament run since 2022, as they continue to capitalize on a chaotic bottom half of the Fort Worth regional.