Adia Barnes can check off another task on her to-do list as ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥'s coach after the third-seeded ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ routed No. 14-seed Stony Brook 79-42 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament's Mercado Region in San Antonio on Monday.Â
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥'s win came in thei first NCAA Tournament appearance in 16 years. The 35-point margin of victory is the largest for the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ in the NCAA Tournament, surpassing a 22-point win over Western Kentucky in 1997.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ advances to play 11th-seeded BYU in Wednesday's second round. The Cougars pulled off the first upset of the tournament on Monday, beating Rutgers 69-66.
The ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥' smothering full-court defense forced 25 turnovers — 13 in the first half, including nine steals — and converted it into 25 points. All-Pac-12 forward Sam Thomas, an all-conference defensive selection, tied her career-high with six steals. The ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ finished with 17 steals.
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ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ guard Aari McDonald celebrates after making a basket during the first half of a college basketball game against Stony Brook in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Star guard Aari McDonald, who was named a Naismith Defensive Player of the Year finalist hours before the game, led the way with 20 points on 8 for 14 shooting from the field, four assists, three steals and four turnovers.Â
In the opening minutes, Stony Brook led 4-2, but that quickly dissipated in the final 18:51 of the first half. The ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ received fruits from their suffocating defensive labor and opened up a 15-2 run in the first quarter, and capped the first period with an Helena Pueyo buzzer-beating 3-pointer.Â
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ forward Cate Reese, front, is pressured by Stony Brook guard Hailey Zeise celebrates after making a shot during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Despite Stony Brook out-rebounding ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ 17-15 in the first half, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ out-scored the Sea Wolves 30-6 in the paint and had 14 points off the bench to take a 47-20 lead.Â
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥'s first-half cushion was beneficial for ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ considering the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ only out-scored Stony Brook 13-12 in the third quarter — 19-12 in the fourth period. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ stayed out of reach and cruised to a 79-44 win. Â
Making her NCAA Tournament debut, Cate Reese recorded 16 points and six rebounds in 29 minutes. Senior forward Trinity Baptiste finished with 18 points on 8 for 10 shooting and five rebounds.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥: Third-seeded ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ thump No. 14-seed Stony Brook in first round of NCAA Tournament
NCAA Stony Brook ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Basketball
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ forward Trinity Baptiste, back, pressures Stony Brook guard Asiah Dingle during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NCAA Stony Brook ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Basketball
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ forward Sam Thomas (14) looks to pass under pressure from Stony Brook guard Earlette Scott (2) during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NCAA Stony Brook ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Basketball
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ forward Cate Reese (25) tries to block a shot by Stony Brook forward Leighah-Amori Wool (32) during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NCAA Stony Brook ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Basketball
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ forward Cate Reese (25) gets past Stony Brook forward Leighah-Amori Wool (32) to put up a shot during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NCAA Stony Brook ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Basketball
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ forward Cate Reese (25) gets past Stony Brook forward Leighah-Amori Wool (32) to put up a shot during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NCAA Stony Brook ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Basketball
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ forward Lauren Ware (32) Celebrates with teammates after making a basket during the first half of a college basketball game against Stony Brook in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP/Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NCAA Stony Brook ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Basketball
Stony Brook guard Hailey Zeise, right, shoots under pressure from ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ forward Trinity Baptiste (0) during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NCAA Stony Brook ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Basketball
Stony Brook guard Hailey Zeise, left, knocks the ball away from ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ forward Trinity Baptiste (0) during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NCAA Stony Brook ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Basketball
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ forward Sam Thomas, back, pressures Stony Brook forward Nairimar Vargas-Reyes during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NCAA Stony Brook ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Basketball
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ forward Cate Reese (25) battles Stony Brook forward McKenzie Bushee (22) and guard Hailey Zeise (24) for a rebound during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NCAA Stony Brook ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Basketball
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ guard Aari McDonald celebrates after making a basket during the first half of a college basketball game against Stony Brook in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NCAA Stony Brook ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Basketball
Stony Brook guard Asiah Dingle drives during the first half of a college basketball game against ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NCAA Stony Brook ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Basketball
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ forward Cate Reese (25) tries to steal the ball from Stony Brook forward Leighah-Amori Wool (32) during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NCAA Stony Brook ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Basketball
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ center Semaj Smith (34) puts up a shot under pressure from Stony Brook forward McKenzie Bushee (22) during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NCAA Stony Brook ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Basketball
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ forward Cate Reese, front, is pressured by Stony Brook guard Hailey Zeise celebrates after making a shot during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NCAA Stony Brook ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Basketball
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ forward Cate Reese celebrates after making a shot during the first half of a college basketball game against Stony Brook in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
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Contact sports content producer Justin Spears at 573-4312 or jspears@tucson.com. On Twitter @justinesports
Justin Spears
Sports Reporter
