AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The William & Mary women’s basketball team made history on Thursday night, achieving their first NCAA Tournament victory in program history with a thrilling 69-63 win over High Point during the First Four matchup in Austin. Bella Nascimento led the Tribe with a stunning performance, scoring 24 points, while also collecting key plays from teammates to secure the win.
The Tribe’s victory marks a significant milestone, as they became the last original Division I basketball member from 1938-39 to make it to the NCAA Tournament, let alone win a game. With this victory, William & Mary improved to a record of 16-18 and now looks ahead to face the No. 1 seed Texas on Saturday, March 22, 2025.
Nascimento’s impressive scoring effort was complemented by Natalie Fox, who recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, including crucial offensive rebounds that came into play during the game's closing moments. Monet Dance also contributed significantly, scoring 15 points, while Cassidy Geddes added another 12 points to the Tribe's total.
On the other side of the court, High Point, the Big South regular-season and tournament champions, finished the season with a record of 21-12. Lauren Scott led the Panthers with 19 points, while Aaliyah Collins and Jaleesa Lawrence chipped in 18 and 15 points, respectively. High Point managed to amass 15 steals, converting 16 turnovers by the Tribe into 18 points.
The contest was competitive throughout, with nine lead changes and six ties. It was evident that neither team could gain a clear advantage, but the Tribe thrived on the glass, out-rebounding High Point 45-31. William & Mary demonstrated strength in second-chance points, with a significant advantage of 12-2.
In the final moments of the game, Dance solidified William & Mary’s lead by hitting two free throws that capped an 8-2 run, pushing the score to 65-58 with just 27.9 seconds left. High Point fought back, narrowing the gap to four points with just 15.2 seconds remaining on the clock. However, Dance's additional free throws sealed the victory for the Tribe, allowing them to clinch their historic win.
High Point's head coach Chelsea Banbury commended the efforts of William & Mary, stating, “Hats off to William & Mary, they came out ready to play. They were ready to execute and have been playing some good basketball lately.” She noted the challenges her team faced, acknowledging the strong offensive presence that Nascimento posed, which caused considerable problems for the Panthers throughout the game. Despite their loss, Banbury expressed pride in her team’s efforts, highlighting their resilience during the match.
The matchup was ignited early, with High Point holding firm and maintaining a close score throughout the first half. At the end of the first quarter, William & Mary led 17-15 and entered halftime with a 34-28 advantage. But the Panthers mounted a rally, scoring seven unanswered points to tie the game at 42 during the third quarter.
As the final quarter unfolded, the intensity escalated with four lead changes in rapid succession. Lawrence was pivotal, tying the game at various points as she attempted to give High Point the boost it needed. However, a late run by the Tribe created a gap that the Panthers could not close.
This historic win not only marks a significant achievement for the William & Mary basketball program but also showcases the resilience and spirit that the team has displayed throughout the season. With their eyes on the next match against Texas, the Tribe hopes to continue their Cinderella run in the NCAA Tournament.
