Jessika Carter posted a game-high 22 points, nine rebounds and four blocks to carry No. 11 seed Mississippi State past No. 11 seed Illinois 70-56 in a First Four game at South Bend, Ind., on Wednesday night.
Back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019, Mississippi State (21-10) will face No. 6 seed Creighton on Friday.
Jerkaila Jordan and Anastasia Hayes each added 11 points for the Bulldogs, who blew open a one-point game at the half by outscoring the Fighting Illini (22-10) 21-8 in the third quarter.
Makira Cook led Illinois with 21 points, while Genesis Bryant added 17 and Adalia McKenzie chipped in 10.
Sacred Heart 57, Southern 47
Ny’Ceara Pryor and Kelsey Wood each logged a double-double as the Pioneers downed the Jaguars in a First Four game at Stanford, Calif.
Sacred Heart (19-13) posted its sixth consecutive win and earned a shot, as a No. 16 seed, to oppose No. 1 Stanford on the Cardinal’s home floor on Friday.
Pryor finished with 11 points and 10 assists while Wood amassed 10 points and 11 rebounds. Olivia Tucker scored a game-high 13 points for the Pioneers.
Genovea Johnson had team highs of 11 points and seven rebounds for Southern (18-15).
–Field Level Media
