Women’s March Madness Day 4: Second-round scores, analysis

The final day of the second round of the 2026 NCAA women’s tournament is underway. We follow each match as the regional semi-finals take shape.

Here’s ESPN’s guide to all the results from Day 4, featuring reporters’ analysis of how each game was won and our experts assessing each winner’s chances of advancing to the Elite Eight.

How Louisville Won: The Cardinals have lost five home games this season, and Alabama nearly lost six on Monday. Louisville did just enough to hold off the Crimson Tide despite leaving the door open: The Cardinals were just 8 of 16 from the free throw line and 7 of 26 from behind the 3-point arc, while Alabama was 4 of 4 from the stripe and 12 of 26 from 3. But Louisville also controlled the rebounds 41-24 and was only called for 10 fouls against 21 for Alabama.

Louisville’s Tajianna Roberts and Elif Istanbulluoglu each scored 18 points and Laura Ziegler 12. The Cardinals advanced to the Sweet 16 for the 13th time and are headed to the Fort Worth Regional. On the other side, freshman Ace Austin had 17 points to lead Alabama, which was attempting to make the program’s first Sweet 16 since 1998. Instead, the Crimson Tide finished their season at 24-11.

Louisville’s Sweet 16 opponent: (2) Michigan

How Louisville can advance to the Elite Eight: The Cardinals face a Michigan team that won its first two tournament games, beating Holy Cross by 35 and NC State by 29. Sophomore standouts Olivia Olson (27 points against the Wolfpack) and Syla Swords (26) have posed challenges for defenders all season, and the Cardinals will need to find a way to keep them from taking control of the game. Louisville didn’t guard the 3-point line against Alabama as well as it wanted, and it can’t afford to give the Wolverines those kinds of looks. Louisville is seeking its ninth trip to the Elite Eight, while Michigan is seeking its second. -Michael Voepel