The 2022 NCAA Women’s Tournament has officially begun with the First Four, a playoff series added to the event this year as the field grows from 64 teams to 68. Each winner advances to the first round, scheduled for Friday. and Saturday.

Howard and Incarnate Word played the first four game of the women’s tournament on Wednesday, and the Bison added another first. After 21 years without an NCAA Tournament appearance, Howard won his inaugural game in the Big Dance with a 55-51 victory over the Cardinals.

The Bison overcame an abysmal shooting performance — 30.9 percent from the field and 5.6 percent from 3-point range — thanks to a 20-point fourth quarter and strong rebounding effort. Howard outshot Incarnate Word 53-34 and the disparity was particularly wide on the offensive glass, as the Bison grabbed 22 offensive rebounds to Incarnate Word’s just two.

Brooklynn Fort-Davis and Krislyn Marsh each had a double-double in Howard’s win. Fort Davis had 15 points and 10 rebounds while Marsh scored 14 and knocked down 17 boards.

DePaul and Dayton will continue action from the front four Wednesday at 9 p.m. in Ames, Iowa. The Blue Demons will need a big push from Big East Freshman of the Year Aneesah Morrow, their leading scorer and rebounder, as Dayton enters the tournament with wins in 19 of its last 21 games. Each winner of the first four advances to the first round, scheduled for Friday and Saturday. CBS Sports will have updated printable/viewable material after each game.

Follow here for the latest Top Four updates, and also check out CBS Sports’ Top Four betting schedule and odds. For the full tournament schedule, click here.