In college basketball, the stakes are the highest in March which often brings out the best in players. Here’s a quick guide to some of the best performances in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament:
- The most points scored by a player in a women’s NCAA tournament game is 50, achieved by Drake’s Lorri Bauman in 1982 against Maryland.
- The record for the most three-pointers in a single game is 9, shared by Iowa’s Caitlin Clark (2024), Connecticut’s Kia Nurse (2017), and Purdue’s Courtney Moses (2012).
- Texas A&M’s Anriel Howard grabbed the most rebounds in a game with 27 in 2016.
- The most steals in a women’s NCAA tournament game is 14, accomplished by Old Dominion’s Ticha Penicheiro in 1998.
- Baylor’s Brittney Griner holds the record for the most blocked shots in a single tournament game with 14 in 2010.
- Rutgers’ Tasha Pointer dished out the most assists in a women’s NCAA tournament game with 18 in 2001.
- Connecticut leads with the most women’s NCAA championships with 11, followed by Tennessee with 8.
In 2024, South Carolina won its third national championship under Dawn Staley’s reign. Kamilla Cardoso was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament after finishing with 15 points and 17 rebounds in the title game.
In 2023, LSU won its first national championship in program history led by Angel Reese, who scored 15 points with 10 rebounds and received the Final Four Most Outstanding Player Award.
In 2022, Aliyah Boston led South Carolina to its second NCAA tournament title, beating UConn 64-49 and was named Most Outstanding Player.
In 2021, Stanford captured its third national championship led by Haley Jones who secured an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double against Arizona.
🏆 HISTORY: Schools with the most DI women’s basketball national championships
In 2019, Chloe Jackson led Baylor to their third national title scoring 26 points and dishing 5 assists against Notre Dame.
In 2018, Arike Ogunbowale scored 145 points over six games, helping Notre Dame win the national title. Chennedy Carter of Texas A&M averaged 31.3 points over three games in 2018.
Here is a closer look at the best all-time performances by players in the women’s NCAA tournament:
Most points in a single game
In the first NCAA women’s tournament in 1982, Lorri Bauman scored 50 points for Drake against Maryland, a record that still stands today.
Kia Nurse, Courtney Moses, and Caitlin Clark all share the record for most three-pointers made in a tournament game.
Most rebounds in a single game
Anriel Howard grabbed a record 27 rebounds for Texas A&M in a 2016 game against Missouri State.
Most steals in a single game
Ticha Penicheiro set a record for steals in a game with 14 against St. Francis (PA) in 1998.
Most blocked shots in a single game
Brittney Griner blocked 14 shots in a game against Georgetown in the 2010 tournament.
Most assists in a single game
Tasha Pointer recorded a tournament record 18 assists for Rutgers in 2001 against Stephen F. Austin.
Amna Subhan contributed to this article.
