New Year’s Day Delivers Turmoil Across Women’s College Basketball

By Tiffany Williams –

Women’s college basketball didn’t ease into 2026 — it went straight for the jugular.

Thursday, January 1 was a nationwide reminder that rankings don’t play defense, reputations don’t grab rebounds, and New Year’s Day doesn’t hand out mercy. Bluebloods stumbled, underdogs barked, and a whole lot of teams found out exactly who they are when the calendar flips and the pressure spikes.

Texas walked into Columbia and took Missouri apart, 89–71, in a performance that screamed contender. Madison Booker ran the show with 28 points, carving up mismatches and forcing Mizzou to chase shadows. Grace Slaughter’s 20 kept the Tigers upright for stretches, but Texas dictated every meaningful moment.

South Carolina did what South Carolina does. Alabama showed fight early, but the third-ranked Gamecocks slammed the door, pulling away for an 83–57 win. Joyce Edwards poured in 25 with clinical efficiency, while Diana Collins’ 17 couldn’t rescue a Tide offense that stalled when the clamps went on.

Kentucky delivered the shocker of the day, stunning fifth-ranked LSU 80–78 in a result that rattled the SEC. Tonie Morgan was fearless, dropping 24 in Baton Rouge while LSU watched another close game slip despite Mikaylah Williams’ 26. That’s not just an upset — that’s a warning flare.

Washington knocked off sixth-ranked Michigan 64–52 in a game that exposed cracks. Avery Howell led with 22 as the Huskies outworked, outmuscled, and out-executed a Michigan team that never found rhythm. Syla Swords’ 15 wasn’t nearly enough to stop the bleeding.

Illinois sent seventh-ranked Maryland packing with a 73–70 win that came down to toughness. Berry Wallace scored 22, hitting shots when Maryland blinked. Yarden Garzon’s 17 kept the Terps close, but close doesn’t count in January.

Oklahoma steamrolled Texas A&M 72–50, leaving no doubt who controlled the floor. Aaliyah Chavez and Ny’Ceara Pryor each dropped 20 as the Sooners shredded defensive coverages and coasted to the finish.

Vanderbilt demolished Arkansas 88–71 behind a volcanic performance from Mikayla Blakes, who torched the Razorbacks for 35. Taleyah Jones battled with 24, but Arkansas never slowed the avalanche.

Louisville obliterated SMU 91–58 in a game that was decided long before halftime. Tajianna Roberts led a balanced attack with 15, while Paulina Paris’ 20 only softened the margin.

Iowa defended its house against Nebraska, 86–76, leaning on Chazadi Wright’s 24. Britt Prince exploded for 27, but Nebraska couldn’t get enough stops to flip the script in a charged atmosphere.

Ole Miss handled Georgia 79–62 as Cotie McMahon and Dani Carnegie each scored 24 in a game that never tilted Georgia’s way.

North Carolina rolled past Cal 71–55 with Indya Nivar pacing the Tar Heels. Sakima Walker’s 19 couldn’t spark a Golden Bears rally.

Georgia Tech outlasted Notre Dame 95–90 in overtime in one of the wildest games of the day. Talayah Walker went off for 33 as the Yellow Jackets refused to fold. Hannah Hidalgo’s 26 kept Notre Dame alive, but GT delivered the knockout in extra time.

Tennessee protected home court against Florida, 76–65, despite Liv McGill’s explosive 32. Talaysia Cooper’s 17 anchored a Vols effort that stayed composed when Florida surged.

Mississippi State dismantled Indiana 80–60, with Jalyn Brown scoring 20 as the Bulldogs imposed their will early and never looked back.

Central Arkansas suffocated Stetson 65–43. Shae Littleford’s 15 led a game defined by defense and control.

Villanova held off Creighton 74–64 as Kennedy Henry scored 19. Neleigh Gessert poured in 25, but Creighton couldn’t bridge the gap.

UNC Greensboro humiliated Campbell 114–35 in a result that barely resembled a competitive contest. Leyla Minor led with 17 as the scoreboard kept climbing.

Wofford flattened Southwestern 89–43 behind Gabby Mundy’s 16 in another runaway.

West Virginia edged Kansas 79–72 in a gritty road win led by Gia Cooke’s 24. Jaliya Davis’ 21 kept Kansas scrapping.

Marquette took care of Xavier 67–54 as Halle Vice delivered 20. Mariyah Noel’s 22 couldn’t shift momentum.

Duke embarrassed Boston College 100–49. Riley Nelson’s 20 headlined a complete domination that never slowed.

Iona, Quinnipiac, Seton Hall, Fairfield, Siena, and more all handled business as the middle of the country churned through its schedule with ruthless efficiency.

North Carolina State stunned Stanford 74–46, one of the most lopsided surprises of the day. Zoe Brooks led with 18 as Stanford struggled to find answers on either end.

Oregon ran Northwestern out of the gym 87–54. Katie Fiso’s 17 paced a Ducks team that never let up despite Grace Sullivan’s 23.

Miami outlasted Virginia Tech 75–67 in overtime behind Ra Shaya Kyle’s 23, surviving a late Hokies push.

Syracuse knocked off Florida State 82–72 as Uche Izoje and Sole Williams each scored 21 in a statement win.

Maine leaned on Adrianna Smith’s massive 37 to beat UMass Lowell 73–65, one of the day’s purest individual takeovers.

NJIT saw Alejandra Zuniga erupt for 39 in an 80–75 win over UMBC, hijacking the game possession by possession.

And just when it seemed the madness might slow, UC Riverside stunned Hawai’i 65–58 behind Hannah Wickstrom’s outrageous 36, flipping the final script of a chaotic day.

This wasn’t a celebration. It was an audit.

January doesn’t care about preseason hype or glossy rankings. It exposes softness, rewards composure, and punishes teams that can’t execute when the calendar turns cold. On the first day of 2026, women’s college basketball sent the message loud and unapologetic: earn it — or get exposed.