William & Mary and Columbia win first NCAA Tournament games

William & Mary and Columbia made history in the 2025 NCAA Tournament by earning their first-ever tournament wins. Both teams showcased impressive performances during the First Four games, setting the stage for their upcoming challenges. William & Mary triumphed over High Point with a score of 69-63. They were strong on the boards, dominating rebounds 45 to 31. Despite a close game with many lead changes, William & Mary's resilience shone through. Senior guard Bella Nascimento led the team with 24 points, while crucial rebounds from Natalie Fox and important free throws from Monet Dance helped seal the victory. Columbia also had a dramatic win, overcoming a 13-point deficit to defeat Washington. The Lions rallied in the fourth quarter, inspired by head coach Megan Griffith's motivating speech. Riley Weiss scored 14 of her total 24 points during that critical period. Along with Kitty Henderson’s contributions of 11 points and seven assists, Columbia managed to clinch a thrilling win. Both teams now face stronger opponents in the next rounds. William & Mary will take on the Texas Longhorns, a top-seeded team. Meanwhile, Columbia is set to face the West Virginia Mountaineers, seeded sixth. The upcoming matches will test their grit and determination as they pursue further success in the tournament.