Princeton forward Lexi Weger (33) and the Princeton bench celebrate in the second half of a college basketball game against Kentucky in the first round of the NCAA tournament in Bloomington, Indiana, Saturday. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
ACROSS AMERICA — A gender reckoning has come to the NCAA March Madness tournaments. This year, the women's tourney can use the March Madness branding, and the number of teams in the opening round was expanded to 68, as it was for the men's tourney in 2011.
Those and other changes are a result of "Our Fair Shot," a call for change launched last year by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association — not only from the NCAA, but also its governing board of university leaders and others involved in college sports.
The coaches cited record audience records for women's college basketball games, and also said some games attract more viewers than some professional sports that are network television staples.
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Here are some highlights from the first and second rounds:
Howard coach Ty Grace talks to players during the first half of the team's First Four game against Incarnate Word in the NCAA women's college basketball tournament Wednesday in Columbia, South Carolina. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)South Carolina forward Aliyah Boston (top) and guard Zia Cooke look at a loose ball during the first half of a first round game against Howard in the NCAA women's college basketball tournament Friday in Columbia. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)Howard forward Brooklynn Fort-Davis (24) dribbles the ball against South Carolina forward Laeticia Amihere (15) during the first half of a first round game in the NCAA women's college basketball tournament Friday in Columbia. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)The South Dakota bench celebrates during the second half of a college basketball game against Mississippi in the first round of the NCAA tournament in Waco, Texas, Friday. South Dakota won 75-61. (AP Photo/LM Otero)Belmont players react to a 3-point basket during the second half of a college basketball game against Oregon in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Saturday in Knoxville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)South Dakota center Hannah Sjerven (34) screams as she heads to huddle with guard Chloe Lamb (22) and other teammates during the first half of a college basketball game against Baylor in the second round of the NCAA tournament in Waco Sunday. (AP Photo/LM Otero)Creighton guard Molly Mogensen (21) drives to the basket as Iowa guard Caitlin Clark (22) defends during the second half of a second-round game in the NCAA women's college basketball tournament Sunday in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Ron Johnson)South Dakota center Hannah Sjerven (34) rears to hitting a three-pointer during the first half of a college basketball game against the Baylor in the second round of the NCAA tournament in Waco Sunday. (AP Photo/LM Otero)South Dakota head coach Dawn Plitzuweit (right) questions a call during the first half of a college basketball game against Baylor in the second round of the NCAA tournament in Waco Sunday. (AP Photo/LM Otero)South Dakota guard Liv Korngable (2) looks to pass against Baylor defenders Jordan Lewis (3), NaLyssa Smith (1) and Caitlin Bickle (51) during the first half of a college basketball game in the second round of the NCAA tournament in Waco Sunday. (AP Photo/LM Otero)South Dakota center Hannah Sjerven (34) and Baylor center Queen Egbo jump for a rebound during the first half of a college basketball game in the second round of the NCAA tournament in Waco Sunday. (AP Photo/LM Otero) Kansas State's Ayoka Lee (50) attempts to shoot as North Carolina State's Elissa Cunane (33) defends during the first half of a college basketball game in the second round of the NCAA tournament in Raleigh, North Carolina, Monday. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown) North Carolina State's Kayla Jones (25) reacts after a 3-point basket during the first half of a college basketball game against Kansas State in the second round of the NCAA tournament in Raleigh Monday. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
Kansas State's Brylee Glenn (5) drives against North Carolina State's Raina Perez, left, during the first half of a college basketball game in the second round of the NCAA tournament in Raleigh Monday. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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