William & Mary Women’s Basketball Shocks NCAA Tournament with Historic Win

In a stunning turn of events, the William & Mary women’s basketball team has taken the collegiate sports world by storm. With their recent CAA championship win and first-ever NCAA Tournament bid, the Tribe is making history and capturing hearts.

Their journey continues as they get ready to face top-seeded Texas in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Let’s take a closer look at what’s made this team’s run so remarkable and what could be next for them.

William & Mary’s Historic NCAA Tournament Run

William & Mary’s women’s basketball team has defied expectations at every turn. Their journey started with an impressive CAA championship win, locking in their first NCAA Tournament spot ever.

They followed that up with a dramatic victory in the Big Dance, beating High Point 69-63 in the First Four. That win pushed them into the national spotlight and set up a big-time showdown against Texas.

Celebrations and Support from the Tribe Community

The Tribe’s success has set off a wave of excitement in the William & Mary community. Fans lined up outside the team hotel, cheering for the players, coaches, and staff as they headed to the bus with the pep band playing nearby.

Inside the arena, a lively fan section filled the seats behind the Tribe’s bench, applauding and shouting encouragement. President Katherine A. Rowe was right there in the thick of it, leading cheers and getting caught up in every big moment.

The game aired nationally on ESPN2. Back on campus, hundreds of fans packed a watch party at the Sadler Center, chanting *We want Texas!* as the final seconds ticked down.

The players soaked up every bit of the experience—from the energy at the hotel to the roar in the arena and the joy of winning. Freshman forward Natalie Fox, who put up 12 points and 12 rebounds, summed it up: *I will definitely always remember this team, my teammates, and just the excitement everyone has to be able to play in this environment and do all of these fun things.*

Poise Under Pressure

Even as NCAA Tournament newcomers, William & Mary’s women’s basketball team showed real poise under pressure. In the fourth quarter, they nailed all 10 of their foul shots and held off a late push from High Point.

With the game still tight, President Rowe started a *Let’s Go Tribe* chant, getting everyone on their feet. Fans came from all over the country to be part of it—alumni, students, families, you name it.

When the buzzer sounded, players sprinted to the bench, jumping into each other’s arms. Coach Erin Dickerson Davis hugged her assistants before heading through the handshake line.

She was quickly whisked over for a national TV interview with ESPN2. *It was insane,* she said, *The camera is in your face, and you see these moments on ESPN after games. To be a part of it, for my kids to be up there with the March Madness signage in the back, is just so crazy to me. I’m so elated. I’m so filled with joy and pride, I could cry… again.*

Looking Ahead to the Showdown with Texas

William & Mary now faces another big test as they get ready to play the mighty Longhorns in Texas’s 10,763-seat home arena. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.

The university plans to host a watch party at Kaplan Arena, with doors opening at 9:15 p.m. It’s another chance for the community to rally together and show support.

Guard Bella Nascimento, who led all scorers with 24 points, put it simply: *We’re excited to step on this floor again. It’s another opportunity to play basketball, which we all love and which we are here to do.*

Embracing the NCAA Tournament Experience

The Tribe has realized this week that what happens on the court is only part of the NCAA Tournament experience. This journey is about making memories—for themselves and for everyone cheering them on.

Coach Dickerson Davis wants her players to take it all in. *I do want them to embrace this. I want them to have a good time. You’re about to play against a team that, respectfully to every other basketball coach, should get to the Final Four. They’re an amazing team.*

She added, *It’s going to be such a fun time, a fun environment. I have to assume it is going to be wild in here, and so to be able to have that kind of experience, how could you be mad?*

The William & Mary women’s basketball team has already made history. Their journey isn’t over yet.

They’re about to face Texas, and you can really feel the support and pride from their community. This run has pulled the William & Mary community even closer together.

If you want more details about their achievements and upcoming games, check out the full story here.

Keep an eye out for updates on their journey. Join the Tribe and celebrate this wild, unforgettable moment in William & Mary’s sports history.