Friday, January 30, 2026: Women's College Basketball Recap – Upsets, High-Scoring Battles, and Standout Performances
On Friday, January 30, 2026, the women's college basketball slate delivered a mix of thrilling finishes, ranked showdowns, and individual brilliance. From SEC clashes to Ivy League surprises and mid-major grit, here are the key results and highlights from the day.
SEC Spotlight: No. 17 Ole Miss Edges No. 5 Vanderbilt 83-75
In a neutral-site battle at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, No. 17 Ole Miss (now 18-4, 5-2 SEC) held off No. 5 Vanderbilt (20-2, 6-2 SEC) for a statement win. Ole Miss forward Cotie McMahon led the way with 27 points, showcasing her scoring prowess as a senior transfer standout averaging nearly 20 PPG this season. Vanderbilt's dynamic guard Mikayla Blakes countered with a game-high 29 points, but the Rebels' balanced attack and rebounding edge proved decisive in the tight contest.
Ivy League Shocker: Columbia Stuns No. 19 Princeton 73-67
Columbia pulled off a major road upset over No. 19 Princeton, winning 73-67 and extending their true road winning streak to 16 games. Senior Perri Page erupted for 23 points (14 in the second half) to pace the Lions, while Princeton's Olivia Hutcherson contributed 17 points. This victory marks Columbia's second AP Top 25 win in program history, both against Princeton.
Other Notable Results:
Gardner-Webb 54, UNC Asheville 52 – A low-scoring defensive grind ended with Amina Gray's 18 points lifting Gardner-Webb.
East Tennessee State 53, Samford 44 – ETSU's Anala Nelson scored 16 points in a solid defensive effort.
Troy 88, Coastal Carolina 77 – High-octane offense saw Coastal's Tessa Grady drop 25 points, but Troy prevailed.
East Carolina 67, Charlotte 61 – ECU's Kennedy Fauntleroy led with 21 points.
UL Monroe 78, App State 70 – Nakiyah Mays-Prince's 18 points powered ULM.
Towson 59, North Carolina A&T 57 – Close finish with India Johnston's 19 points for Towson.
Charleston 77, Elon 69 – Taryn Barbot dominated with 25 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists for the Cougars' 10th straight win.
Charleston Southern 85, South Carolina Upstate 62 – Tyonna Bailey exploded for 28 points.
Cornell 62, Pennsylvania 58 – Balanced scoring led by Emily Pape's 20 points.
Brown 55, Dartmouth 41 – Alyssa Moreland's 14 points anchored the win.
Furman 65, Wofford 64 – Nail-biter with Alyssa Ervin's 21 points sealing it.
Chattanooga 72, Mercer 59 – Gianna Corbitt's 22 points paced the Mocs.
Eastern Kentucky 74, Queens University 59 – Strong team effort.
Southern Miss 86, Old Dominion 83 (OT) – Epic overtime thriller; Jakayla Johnson poured in 32 points for USM.
Stony Brook 52, Hofstra 49 – Defensive battle won by Caitlin Frost's 10 points (team-high).
Campbell 63, William & Mary 54 – Olivia Tucker led with 16 points.
Hampton 60, UNC Wilmington 48 – Aisha Dabo's 16 points key.
Drexel 56, Monmouth 53 – Amaris Baker's 18 points edged it out.
Harvard 72, Yale 44 – Dominant win led by Karlee White's 19 points.
Missouri State 79, Delaware 54 – Lainie Douglas's 17 points in a blowout.
Florida International 74, Liberty 61 – Rhema Collins scored 19 points for FIU.
These results highlight the depth and competitiveness across conferences, with ranked teams facing challenges and mid-majors delivering close contests. Standout scorers like McMahon, Blakes, Page, and Johnson stole the show. Women's college hoops continues to heat up—stay tuned for more action!
