The first step to the Final Four commences on Wednesday, with two First Four games tipping off the action from the 2025 women’s NCAA Tournament.

First up on the 11-seed line are Iowa State (22-11) and Princeton, with the winner advancing to play 6 seed Michigan. The Cyclones’ Audi Crooks sensation in women’s March Madness last year — will she be able to lead a similarly impressive run for Iowa State and Co., starting with a Princeton team that went 21-7 and finished second in the Ivy League?

IT’S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY’s Bracket Challenge contest for a chance at $1 million prize

Following that game, UC San Diego (20-15) and Southern (20-14), champions of the Big West and SWAC tournaments, respectively, will face off from Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles for the right to advance and face No. 1 overall seed UCLA.

With that, follow along live for scores, updates and highlights from Wednesday’s women’s First Four action:

WOMEN’S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY’s Women’s Bracket Challenge for a chance at $1 million prize.

Women’s First Four score updates

This section will be updated when games tip off.

TEAMS1H2HFIowa State———Princeton———

Women’s First Four times today

• Game 1: (11) Iowa State vs. (11) Princeton | 7 p.m. ET
• Game 2: (16) UC San Diego vs. (16) Southern | 9 p.m. ET

The first of Wednesday’s women’s First Four games, Iowa State vs. Princeton, is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. ET from the Purcell Pavilion in Notre Dame, Indiana. The winner will advance to play 6 seed Michigan.

The second game, UC San Diego vs. Southern, is scheduled to tip off at 9 p.m. ET from Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, with the winner advancing to face No. 1 overall seed UCLA.

Watch women’s First Four with Fubo (free trial)

What channels are women’s First Four games today?

Both of Wednesday’s games will air on ESPNU. Streaming options include March Madness Live and the ESPN app, which require valid cable logins. Another option is Fubo, which offers a free trial

Iowa State vs Princeton history

This will be Iowa State and Princeton’s first time meeting, according to both teams’ histories.

UC San Diego vs Southern history

This will be UC San Diego and Southern’s first time meeting, according to both teams’ histories.

Women’s First Four predictions

Iowa State vs Princeton

UC San Diego vs Southern

Women’s First Four betting odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Wednesday, March 19

Iowa State vs Princeton

• Spread: Iowa State (-4.5)
• Over/under: 136.5
• Moneyline: Iowa State (-210) | Princeton (+170)

UC San Diego vs Southern

• Spread: UC San Diego (-3.5)
• Over/under: 111.5
• Moneyline: UC San Diego (185) | Southern (+150)

Iowa State women’s basketball schedule 2024-25

Below are Iowa State’s five most recent games. For the Cyclones’ full schedule, click here.

• Saturday, Feb. 22: at Baylor (L, 67-62)
• Tuesday, Feb. 25: at UCF (W, 98-73)
• Sunday, March 2: vs. Kansas State (W, 85-63)
• Thursday, March 6: vs. Arizona State (W, 96-88) (Big 12 tournament)
• Friday, March 7: vs. Baylor (L, 69-63) (Big 12 tournament)

Princeton women’s basketball schedule 2024-25

Below are Princeton’s five most recent games. For the Tigers’ full schedule, click here.

• Saturday, Feb. 22: vs. Columbia (L, 64-60)
• Friday, Feb. 28: at Harvard (W, 70-58)
• Saturday, March 1: at Dartmouth (W, 67-55)
• Saturday, March 8: vs. Penn (W, 67-53)
• Friday, March 14: vs. Harvard (L, 70-67) (Ivy League tournament)

UC San Diego women’s basketball schedule 2024-25

Below are UC San Diego’s five most recent games. For the Tritons’ full schedule, click here.

• Thursday, March 6: at Long Beach (W, 82-51)
• Saturday, March 8: vs. UC Davis (L, 69-58)
• Thursday, March 13: vs. Cal Poly (W, 59-54) (Big West tournament)
• Friday, March 14: vs. Hawaii (W, 51-49) (Big West tournament)
• Saturday, March 15: vs. UC Davis (W, 75-66) (Big West tournament)

Southern women’s basketball schedule 2024-25

Below are Southern’s five most recent games. For the Jaguars’ full schedule, click here.

• Thursday, March 6: vs. Alabama State (W, 61-38)
• Saturday, March 8: vs. Alabama A&M (L, 48-35)
• Wednesday, March 12: vs. Mississippi Valley State (W, 63-43) (SWAC tournament)
• Friday, March 14: vs. Jackson State (W, 51-47) (SWAC tournament)
• Saturday, March 15: vs. Alcorn State (W, 64-44) (SWAC tournament)

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose. While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling. We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site. Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.

Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.