Around the NCAA women's basketball: Dec. 21

Week 7 of the 2023-24 NCAA Women’s Basketball has reaffirmed some teams’ dominance and brought some shocking upsets for others.

No. 23 UNLV vs. Seton Hall

Previously ranked No. 23 UNLV was upset by unranked Seton Hall by 30 on Dec. 16, with a final score 84-54. This loss dropped UNLV out of the AP Top 25.

UNLV struggled with their shots falling, finishing the game with a 30% field-goal completion rate and a 33.3% completion rate beyond the arc.

The Seton Hall Pirates shot 56.1% from the field and 41.7% beyond the arc. Another key stat is the Pirates outrebounded the Rebels 44-25.

The Rebels were down early 15-2 in the first quarter after they missed their first 11 shots. They were unable to take the lead once throughout the game. The leading scorer of the Rebels, forward Alyssa Brown, recorded 13 points and six rebounds before fouling out.

This was the first time UNLV had made the Top 25 since 1994.

No. 2 UCLA vs. No. 13 Ohio State

On Monday, Dec. 18, No. 2 UCLA managed to beat No. 13 Ohio State with a final score of 77-71.

Trailing by six at halftime and being outscored in the third quarter 26-14, the Buckeyes were able to put up a dominant fourth quarter outscoring the Bruins 26-14 to lose by six.

The Bruins remained undefeated on the season at 10-0 while the Buckeyes dropped to 9-2. Their other loss came against No. 21 USC in the opening game of the season.

Jacy Sheldon of the Buckeyes led with a game-high 30 points.

No. 23 Washington vs. No. 19 Louisville

On Wednesday, Dec. 20, No. 23 Washington faced off away against No. 19 Louisville. The Cardinals were able to secure a 59-51 victory.

Both teams recorded 14 turnovers each, but the Cardinals scored 21 points off of turnovers compared to the Huskies 12.

The Huskies also gave up 34 points in the paint compared to the Cardinals 18.

No. 7 LSU

No. 7 LSU continues to pick up victories, winning their last 12 games. Their only loss of the season came in their third game against No. 20 Colorado.

The dramatics did not end for the Tigers when forward Angel Reese returned to the court. Head coach Kim Mulkey was ejected in the second half of their game against Northwestern State.

She was arguing a charging foul against Aneesah Morrow in the fourth quarter. Mulkey ended up receiving a double technical.

LSU managed to beat Northwestern State 81-36, led behind a game-high 25 points by Reese. This game was home for the Tigers at Maravich Center and Mulkey’s ejection was met by a standing ovation in support of her.

On Dec. 20, the Tigers game against Coppin State sold out the Physical Education Complex Arena, located in Reese’s hometown, Baltimore, MD.

This was the first-ever sold-out crowd for Coppin State, men’s or women’s basketball, at PEC Arena. It was also the first-ever game where an HBCU hosted a defending National Champions Team.

The Tigers won 80-48 and Reese finished with a game-high 26 points, five steals and six rebounds.

The Tigers look to continue their dominance throughout the rest of December.

Julia Henry is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email jbh6443@psu.edu.