Illinois Defeats Xavier 86-73, Advances in NCAA Tournament

In a significant NCAA Tournament upset, Oregon State's women's basketball team fell to North Carolina 70-49, ending their season in the first round. Despite a strong second quarter that saw the Beavers briefly take the lead, North Carolina's defense proved too formidable, especially with Lexi Donarski's three-point shooting. Meanwhile, Illinois secured a solid 86-73 victory over Xavier, led by Will Riley's 22 points and a near triple-double from Kasparas Jakucionis. Illinois maintained control for most of the game, showcasing their shooting accuracy and rebounding prowess. In the NAIA Women's Basketball Championship, Southern Oregon triumphed over Xavier (La.) 67-60, with Morgan Baird scoring 23 points to help her team remain undefeated at 34-0. The loss marked the end of Xavier's historic season, which included reaching the Round of 16 for the first time.