BTN.com staff, March 23, 2013

The NCAA women's tourney tipped off Saturday, and the Big Ten went 2-0 on the opening day. Michigan State opened up the Big Ten slate by taking down upset-minded Marist, 55-47, while Nebraska ran away from Chattanooga, 73-59. Jump inside for recaps and stats.

[ RELATED: View the interactive NCAA women's bracket ]

Michigan State 55, Marist 47: BOX | AP RECAP
Kiana Johnson scored 16 points, Annalise Pickrel added 14 and fifth-seeded Michigan State halted Marist's string of first-round NCAA upsets Saturday with a 55-47 win. Jasmine Thomas added 10 points for the Spartans (25-8). Michigan State advanced to the second round for the eighth time in nine NCAA appearances, a streak interrupted by a loss to Louisville on the same College Park floor a year ago. Michigan State will play Maryland on Monday.

Nebraska 73, Chattanooga 59: BOX | AP RECAP
Jordan Hooper scored 18 of her 21 points in the second half, helping Nebraska rally from nine points down to beat Chattanooga 73-59 in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Saturday night. The sixth-seeded Cornhuskers (24-8) will play third-seeded Texas A&M (25-9) on Monday night. The Aggies advanced with a 71-45 victory over No. 14 seed Wichita State. Hooper also grabbed 12 rebounds and Lindsey Moore added 13 points for Nebraska