Postcard from day four in Waco for the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament

Waco, Texas, is one of the many NCAA Women's Basketball first and second-round hosting sites. Elijah Poe, DN
Waco, Texas, is one of the many NCAA Women's Basketball first and second-round hosting sites. Elijah Poe, DN

Even if Ball State women’s basketball was not playing, NCAA Tournament basketball was being played, so we covered it. 

But before we got to the Foster Pavilion, we worked in the hotel lobby on articles, edited photos, and assembled packages. 

We arrived at the Pavilion around 1 p.m. for the 3 p.m. CT tip-off against Ole Miss vs. Baylor. 

The winning team was heading to the Sweet 16, and since Baylor was hosting, it was a packed house. We all agreed that the rowdy crowd full of students and fans was the loudest we had ever heard. 

It was a down-to-the-wire affair the entire game. The Rebels and Bears traded baskets back and forth, and it wasn't until the final 40 seconds that Ole Miss sealed the deal with a jumper. 

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Ole Miss senior Kennedy Todd-Williams talks with her team while facing Baylor March 23 for the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Foster Pavilion in Waco, Texas. Andrew Berger, DN

After the group wrapped up editing and writing, we left Foster Pavilion for the final time. 

We took an Uber back to the hotel before heading out to dinner. The group was undecided about where to go, but they stumbled upon Opal’s Oysters. And what a choice it was. 

Opal’s had fresh oysters (duh), fish, scallops, steak and more. 

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Opal's Oysters in Waco, Texas. The restaurant has been open since Oct. 2024. Andrew Berger, DN

The group got a mix of smoked salmon, oysters, Texas redfish, scallops and of course the complimentary bread. 

If it was not the best meal we have ever had, it was in the top five. The incredible flavors in just a small piece of fish were truly mind-blowing. Everything from presentation to atmosphere and taste was perfect. 

After walking back to the hotel, the group was soon to sleep with a full day of travel ahead of them to get back to Muncie, Indiana.

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