The opening day of the 2025-26 women’s college basketball season saw a shocking upset among the top teams. The No. 7 Duke Blue Devils, a team that reached the Elite Eight last season, lost to the No. 16 Baylor Bears 58-52 in an exciting start to the Oui-Play doubleheader held in Paris. In another highlight, Mikayla Blakes of the No. 19 Vanderbilt Commodores delivered a stellar performance, scoring 27 points to lead her team past the California Golden Bears 75-65.
Key Performances and Events
Mikayla Blakes’ impressive outing marks her 11th career game with 25 or more points. Last season, she had two matches where she scored over 50 points, showcasing her scoring ability. The Commodores rallied after trailing at halftime, outscoring Cal 24-9 in the third quarter.
Meanwhile, Baylor’s Taliah Scott made a significant impact in her first game with the Bears. Transferring from Auburn, Scott scored 24 points, half of which came in a critical fourth quarter. Her proficiency at the free-throw line (8-of-10) was crucial for Baylor to fend off Duke’s comeback attempt.
Defensive Highlights and Struggles
- Baylor’s shooting percentage was at 31.7% from the field.
- Duke struggled offensively with a shooting rate of only 29%.
Despite these offensive challenges, Duke showcased a strong defensive performance, a continuation from last season where they held opponents to an average of 56.5 points per game. However, the need for improved offensive production is evident as they aim to enhance their scoring capabilities.
Looking Ahead: UConn’s Season Opener
The defending national champion UConn will begin their season on Tuesday against Louisville at 5:30 PM ET. This matchup will be pivotal for assessing UConn’s rotation strategy, particularly with new talents like freshman Blanca Quiñonez and transfers Serah Williams and Kayleigh Heckel joining established stars Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd. These players will be under scrutiny as they seek to establish their roles early in the season.
As the season progresses, teams will be closely watched for their offensive and defensive strengths, particularly the performances of key players like Mikayla Blakes and Taliah Scott, who are already making significant impacts. The competition this season promises to be fierce and unpredictable, setting the stage for an exciting women’s college basketball season ahead.
