In a thrilling women’s NCAA tournament opener, the 10th-seeded University of Virginia pulled off a stunning upset, defeating the higher-seeded No. 7 Georgia Bulldogs 82-73 in overtime. The Cavaliers, entering the tournament with a 20-11 record, proved resilient against a Georgia team that finished the regular season at 22-10. This victory marks Virginia as the first lower seed to advance in the women’s bracket this year, setting a precedent for potential upsets. They will now move on to face the winner of the game between second seed Iowa and 15th seed Fairleigh Dickinson.

The game was a nail-biter from start to finish, with neither team able to secure a decisive lead for much of the contest. Virginia’s Kymora Johnson was instrumental in their victory, leading all scorers with an impressive 28 points. She was ably supported by Sa’Myah Smith, who delivered a career-high 23 points and secured a double-double with 11 rebounds. The Cavaliers’ ability to outscore Georgia 11-2 in the extra period ultimately sealed their hard-fought win.

Georgia had two golden opportunities to secure the win in regulation time, but both attempts fell short. A promising shot with just four seconds remaining missed the mark, and after securing the offensive rebound, Virginia’s defense forced a jump ball. Though possession was awarded back to Georgia with mere seconds left, Mia Woolfolk’s final shot at the buzzer narrowly missed everything, sending the game into overtime. This late-game drama underscored the intensity of the NCAA tournament.

Individual performances shone brightly for both sides despite the outcome. Georgia’s Mia Woolfolk led her team with 27 points, demonstrating significant offensive capability throughout the game. Rylie Theuerkauf contributed 22 points, with a significant portion of her scoring coming in the first half where she hit multiple three-pointers. Savannah Henderson also added 11 points for the Bulldogs, showcasing the team’s offensive efforts.

The Cavaliers’ triumph is particularly noteworthy as they are only the second team in tournament history to win a game after playing in the First Four, the preliminary round of the tournament. This victory highlights the unpredictable nature of March Madness and sets Virginia up for another challenging matchup in the second round. As the tournament progresses, their ability to perform under pressure will be key to their continued success.