UVA's NCAA Tournament Run Ends in Sweet 16 Against TCU

Cavaliers fall 75-69 to Horned Frogs despite strong performances from Johnson and Clark

Mar. 29, 2026 at 1:27am

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The University of Virginia women's basketball team saw its remarkable NCAA Tournament run come to an end on Saturday night, as the 10th-seeded Cavaliers fell 75-69 to third-seeded TCU in the Sweet 16 in Sacramento, California. UVA guard Kymora Johnson, a Charlottesville native, finished with 18 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome a dominant second-half performance by the Horned Frogs, led by Marta Suarez's 33 points and 10 rebounds.

Why it matters

Virginia's appearance in the Sweet 16 was historic, as the Cavaliers became the first team to advance from the First Four to that stage of the women's NCAA Tournament. Their run captivated the Charlottesville community and highlighted the growth and competitiveness of the program under head coach Tina Thompson.

The details

After leading 36-35 at halftime, Virginia was outscored 24-11 in the pivotal third quarter, allowing TCU to take control of the game. The Cavaliers were unable to mount a serious comeback in the fourth quarter despite a late 3-pointer from Johnson, who set a program record with 103 made 3-pointers this season. Paris Clark led UVA with 20 points in the losing effort.

  • The game was played on Saturday, March 29, 2026 in Sacramento, California.
  • Virginia led 21-17 after the first quarter and 36-35 at halftime.

The players

Kymora Johnson

A Charlottesville native and former St. Anne's-Belfield star, Johnson finished with 18 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds for Virginia. She set a program record with 103 3-pointers made this season.

Paris Clark

The Cavaliers' leading scorer, Clark poured in 20 points in the losing effort.

Marta Suarez

The star forward for TCU, Suarez scored 33 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Horned Frogs to victory.

Olivia Miles

TCU's dynamic point guard, Miles added 28 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists in the win.

Tina Thompson

The head coach of the Virginia Cavaliers, Thompson guided her team to the Sweet 16 in a historic NCAA Tournament run.

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What they’re saying

“Kymora Johnson became one of the darlings of the Big Dance. She scored 17 points in Virginia's First Four win over Arizona State, then put up 28 in back-to-back wins over Georgia and Iowa as UVA became the first team to advance from the First Four to the Sweet 16 in the history of the women's tournament.”

— Mike Barber, Author

What’s next

With the loss, Virginia's season comes to an end. TCU will face top-seeded South Carolina, coached by former Cavalier great Dawn Staley, in the Elite Eight on Monday night with a spot in the Final Four on the line.

The takeaway

Despite the disappointing end to their tournament run, the Virginia Cavaliers can be proud of the historic accomplishment of becoming the first team to advance from the First Four to the Sweet 16 in the women's NCAA Tournament. The growth and competitiveness of the program under coach Tina Thompson bodes well for the future, and the community in Charlottesville will eagerly await the Cavaliers' return to the Big Dance.