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South Dakota stuns Baylor, advances to first Sweet 16 in history

Hannah Sjerven (34) was one of three South Dakota players in double-digits Sunday. (Photo by Darren Carroll/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

South Dakota became the latest double-digit seed to upset a national powerhouse in the NCAA Tournament, defeating Baylor 61-47 in the second round on Sunday.

Baylor had been seeking its 12th consecutive Sweet 16 appearance, the fourth-longest streak in NCAA Tournament history. Instead, the Coyotes will advance to their first in school history after also upsetting 7-seed Oregon in the first round for their first tournament win.

South Dakota went 8-for-16 from 3-point range Sunday, compared to Baylor’s 19.2 percent shooting from beyond the arc, to dominate the matchup from beginning to end. The Coyotes also capitalized on points off of turnovers, outscoring the Bears 22-2 in that category.

South Dakota held the Bears scoreless for the first seven minutes of the game and went ahead by as much as 16 in the third quarter. South Dakota coach Dawn Plitzuweit called her squad, which has yet to trail in a game during the tournament, “fearless.”

“I just kept thinking, ‘We’ve just got to kind of hang tight,'” Plitzuweit told reporters after the game. “Been thinking about it a lot the last couple days with the draw that we have, two Power 5s … to now be able to see, ‘OK, maybe it didn’t come right away, but now we have a chance to do something really special.’”

South Dakota center Hannah Sjerven led all scorers with 16 points, four rebounds and four steals. Chloe Lamb and Liv Korngable had 15 and 11 points, respectively. The trio combined for nearly 70 percent of South Dakota’s points in the contest.

“Just doing everything at a very high, 100 percent level, not doing anything half-heartedly,” Korngable said of the effort. “Pulling from coaches and players and each other, that’s a big, big part of our fearlessness and confidence.”

Queen Egbo led Baylor with 13 points and seven rebounds. Top WNBA Draft prospect NaLyssa Smith had 10 points and eight rebounds on 4-for-11 shooting from the field.

Sportico Report Taps Highest-Paid Women’s Sports Athletes

Highest-paid women's sports athlete Caitlin Clark smiles during a game.
Clark is the only basketball player to make Sportico's highest-paid women's sports athletes list. (Jeff Bottari/NBAE via Getty Images)

Fever rookie Caitlin Clark rocketed to the upper tiers of Sportico's annual highest-paid women's sports athletes report on Wednesday, landing in 10th place with an estimated $11 million in yearly earnings.

With tournaments like the US Open guaranteeing equal purses across men's and women's events, tennis players dominated the findings, accounting for nine of the 15 entries. This includes first-place Coco Gauff, who, with $9.4 million in prizes plus $21 million in endorsements, tops the list for the second year in a row.

Skier Eileen Gu came in second, complementing her individual earnings with the list's highest-estimated endorsement profits at $22 million. Gymnast Simone Biles came in at No. 9 with an estimated $11.1 million in total income.

Golfers Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko also made the cut, mirroring the LPGA Tour's expanded purses.

Report highlights endorsements in women's sports

The report underlines the continued importance of endorsements in the women's game — particularly within team sports, where many athletes rely on supplemental income to boost relatively small pro salaries.

However, 2024's estimated $221 million in total earnings is up 27% over last year, with 11 athletes making at least $10 million compared to six in 2023.

Highest-paid female athlete US tennis star Coco Gauff poses with her 2024 WTA Finals trophy
Tennis star Coco Gauff is 2024's highest-paid women's sports athlete. (Robert Prange/Getty Images)

Sportico's 15 highest-paid women's sports athletes

1. Coco Gauff: $30.4 million
Prize money: $9.4 million | Endorsements: $21 million

2. Eileen Gu: $22.1 million
Prize money: $62,000 | Endorsements: $22 million

3. Iga Świątek: $21.4 million
Prize money: $8.4 million | Endorsements: $13 million

    4. Zheng Qinwen: $20.6 million
    Prize money: $5.6 million | Endorsements: $15 million

      5. Aryna Sabalenka: $17.7 million
      Prize money: $9.7 million | Endorsements: $8 million

        6. Naomi Osaka: $15.9 million
        Prize money: $870,000 | Endorsements: $15 million

          7. Emma Raducanu: $14.7 million
          Prize money: $671,000 | Endorsements: $14 million

            8. Nelly Korda: $14.4 million
            Prize money: $4.4 million | Endorsements: $10 million

              9. Simone Biles: $11.1 million
              Prize money: $135,000 | Endorsements: $11 million

                10. Caitlin Clark: $11.1 million
                Salary/bonus: $100,000 | Endorsements: $11 million

                  11. Jasmine Paolini: $10 million
                  Prize money: $6.5 million | Endorsements: $3.5 million

                    12. Jeeno Thitikul: $9.1 million
                    Prize money: $7.1 million | Endorsements: $2 million

                      13. Jessica Pegula: $8.2 million
                      Prize money: $4.2 million | Endorsements: $4 million

                        14. Elena Rybakina: $7.9 million
                        Prize money: $3.9 million | Endorsements: $4 million

                          15. Lydia Ko: $6.7 million
                          Prize money: $3.2 million | Endorsements: $3.5 million

                            2024 NCAA Volleyball Tournament Hits the Court

                            Louisville's Anna DeBeer spikes the ball against Pitt during a game.
                            Both Pitt and Louisville earned No. 1 seeds in the 2024 NCAA volleyball tournament. (Jeff Faughender/Courier Journal & USA Today Network/Imagn Images)

                            The 2024 NCAA DI volleyball tournament officially kicks off on Thursday, when 64 teams will gear up to battle for postseason glory in this weekend's first and second rounds.

                            The college court's best have their sights set on competing in the December 22nd national championship match in Louisville, Kentucky.

                            Along with the 31 conference champions who automatically received postseason invites, the NCAA committee revealed its 33 selectees in Sunday's selection show. The top 32 teams are seeded one through eight in their respective bracket quadrants, and teams are guaranteed to only face non-conference opponents through the tournament's second round.

                            Leading the field with nine teams each are the ACC, Big Ten, and SEC, followed by the Big 12 with six squads selected.

                            The four teams who finished atop the national rankings — Pitt, Louisville, Nebraska, and Penn State — all earned No. 1 seeds.

                            ACC powerhouses take aim at first national title

                            Sitting atop the rankings for most of the season, overall No. 1 seed Pitt showcases the ACC's immense depth, despite the conference having yet to produce a champion. The Panthers, who finished with Division I's best record at 29-1, have come achingly close over the last three seasons, falling short in the national semifinals each year.

                            Pitt's only loss this season came courtesy of ACC newcomer No. 2 SMU, a team they could face in the regional finals after landing in the same bracket quadrant.

                            Similarly, Louisville has been a consistent contender for the conference, becoming the ACC's first-ever team to make the championship match in 2022. Last year, the Cardinals failed to advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2020, stumbling in a five-set quarterfinal thriller against conference rival Pitt.

                            Nebraska's Taylor Landfair spikes the ball against NCAA volleyball conference rival Wisconsin.
                            No. 1 seed Nebraska and No. 2 Wisconsin landed in the same NCAA tournament quadrant. (Michael Gomez/Getty Images)

                            Big Ten dynasties seek continued dominance

                            After battling through arguably the sport's toughest all-around conference, Big Ten behemoths Penn State and Nebraska will take aim at their eighth and sixth program titles, respectively. Only former Pac-12 team Stanford — now a No. 2 seed in their debut ACC season — boast more NCAA championships than the Nittany Lions or Huskers.

                            Both teams finished their 2024 regular season campaigns neck-and-neck, posting 29-2 overall records and going 19-1 in conference play to share the Big Ten title. Penn State holds the tournament edge, however, maintaining their streak as the only NCAA team to make all 44 championship brackets — one more than Nebraska.

                            Each faces an uphill battle in the 2024 championship field. The Huskers must contend with longtime rivals and 2021 champs No. 2 Wisconsin in their quadrant. Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions find themselves in the same quadrant as reigning back-to-back champion Texas, who grabbed a No. 3 seed after a rollercoaster season. 

                            How to watch the 2024 NCAA DI Volleyball Tournament

                            The first and second rounds of the NCAA volleyball tournament will take place at 16 campus sites between Thursday and Saturday.

                            No. 5 BYU will kick off the action against Loyola Chicago at 3:30 PM ET on Thursday, with all 32 first-round and 16 second-round matches airing across ESPN platforms.

                            USWNT Pulls Off Wild Win Over the Netherlands in 2024 Finale

                            USWNT forward Lynn Williams slides in the game-winning goal against the Netherlands.
                            Forward Lynn Williams' sliding goal gave the USWNT the 2-1 win over the Netherlands. (Daniela Porcelli/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

                            The USWNT ended 2024 with an unlikely win, overcoming a Dutch shooting barrage to earn a 2-1 comeback victory in Tuesday's Euro trip closer.

                            The world No. 1 squad looked overrun for much of the first half as the No. 11 Netherlands outshot the US 14-1. Oranje rookie Veerle Buurman ultimately broke through with a 15th-minute goal off of a corner kick to give the Netherlands a well-earned lead.

                            That said, the USWNT held tight, equalizing in the 44th minute when Buurman headed in Tierna Davidson's free kick for an own goal.

                            Subs made all the difference in the game's second half, taking back enough control to mount an impressive US comeback. In just her fourth cap, forward Yazmeen Ryan produced her first international assist, finding her Gotham FC teammate Lynn Williams streaking into the penalty area to put away the 71st-minute sliding goal that allowed the US to gut out the win.

                            "I thought today we demonstrated by not being at our best, both in and out of possession, that finding a way to win is a sign of a great team," commented US boss Emma Hayes after the match.

                            SWNT keeper Alyssa Naeher's epic final match against he Netherlands

                            Longtime starting goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher earned Player of the Match honors with six stunning saves in her final USWNT performance on Tuesday. The now-retired star finishes her international career with 89 wins, 69 clean sheets, and 112 starts in her 115 caps.

                            Reflecting on her final year in goal for the States, Naeher said after Tuesday's match, "I think part of why I've been able to play with so much extra joy and smiles and really enjoy it this year even more, is I really felt like it was the last the whole time."

                            The USWNT celebrates their gold medal on the 2024 Olympic podium.
                            The USWNT finishes 2024 as the reigning Olympic champions. (Daniela Porcelli/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

                            A golden 2024 to fuel 2025 USWNT success

                            With Saturday's draw against No. 2 England and Tuesday's victory over the Netherlands, the USWNT ends 2024 on a 20-match unbeaten streak that included their 16th Concacaf title and fifth Olympic gold medal.

                            After taking the US reins in May, head coach Hayes caps the year with a 13-0-2 record, with eight of those wins coming against FIFA-ranked Top-15 teams.

                            The momentum Hayes has built sets the stage for continued success next year. The USWNT will kick off 2025 with a mid-January training camp to run concurrently with a "Futures Camp," designed to identify and develop young talent for the senior squad.

                            The first matches on the USWNT's 2025 schedule will come in February, when the team hosts No. 7 Japan, No. 15 Australia, and No. 21 Colombia in the 10th annual SheBelieves Cup.

                            Breaking Down the 2024 USWNT Campaign on ‘The Late Sub’

                            Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is honored after her final USWNT match on Tuesday.
                            The USWNT caps a successful 2024 by bidding adieu to keeper Alyssa Naeher. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

                            On today's episode of The Late Sub, host Claire Watkins wraps up a banner year for the USWNT. She starts by diving into how Tuesday's dramatic 2-1 win over the Netherlands, discussing how it showcased just how far the team has come and what they’ll need to do to continue to grow in 2025.

                            Later, Watkins chats through the lessons learned from the USWNT midfield's recent performances, plus the differences in player form between their clubs and national team.

                            Finally, she dishes about Alyssa Naeher's epic final performance, underlining how much the starting goalkeeper will be missed as she officially retires from the USWNT.

                            The Late Sub with Claire Watkins brings you the latest news and freshest takes in women’s sports. This is the weekly rundown you’ve been missing, covering the USWNT, NWSL, WNBA, college hoops, and whatever else is popping off in women’s sports each week. Special guest appearances with the biggest names in women’s sports make The Late Sub a must-listen for every fan. Follow Claire on X/Twitter @ScoutRipley and subscribe to the Just Women’s Sports newsletter for more.

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