Columbia, South Carolina - The South Carolina Gamecocks got down to business in a big way, dismantling the Howard Bison 79-21 in their first-round NCAA Tournament matchup.

The Gamecocks, the nation’s year-long top-ranked team and this tournament’s overall number-one seed, certainly proved that they are indeed the team to beat this March.

The Bison showed up for the game on Friday night, but they didn’t seem to have their heads in basketball mode, judging from their efforts on the scoreboard.

Through most of the game, Howard only scored in single figures: two points in the first quarter, two in the second, and four in the third before finally managing 13 in the fourth.

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South Carolina, on the other hand, came to play, and their defense made women’s tournament history by only allowing four points against them in the first half, a new NCAA record.

As part of the Gamecocks’ domination, 13 out of 14 players made at least one bucket.

South Carolina’s junior forward Aliyah Boston (20) tallied her 25th consecutive double-double this year after finishing the game with 4-for-7 shooting for 10 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and three steals.

On Sunday, the Gamecocks will face the Miami Hurricanes in round two of the tournament.

Junior guard Ashley Owusu’s team-high 24 points helped propel the Maryland Terrapins past the 100-point mark as they moved onto the second round, easily devastating the Delaware Blue Hens 102-71 in their first-round matchup.

The Creighton Bluejays sent the Colorado Buffaloes home with a strong 84-74 win in their first-round showing.

The Ole Miss Rebels exited early after falling to the South Dakota Coyotes 75-61.

There’s an upset on the books, as the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles slipped past the Virginia Tech Hokies 84-81.

The Miami Hurricanes outlasted the South Florida Bulls 78-66, while the Gonzaga Bulldogs defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers 68-55.

And the Utah Utes earned a second-round berth by blowing out the Arkansas Razorbacks 92-69.

More first-round action in the women’s bracket will continue on Saturday, March 19.