Tigers Narrowly Fall to Duke in Sweet 16 Thriller, 87-85
No. 3 seed Duke achieved a thrilling 87-85 victory over the No. 2 seed LSU women’s basketball team in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament. The match took place at the Golden 1 Center on a Friday night, with Ashlon Jackson of Duke scoring a three-pointer just as time expired. This victory propelled Duke into the Elite Eight, increasing their overall record to 27-8, while LSU’s season concluded with a record of 29-6 after their fourth consecutive Sweet 16 appearance.
Key Players and Performance
LSU’s juniors, MiLaysia Fulwiley and Mikaylah Williams, were pivotal in the game, contributing significantly to the Tigers’ offense. Fulwiley scored a career-high 28 points and also provided four rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block. Williams complemented her performance with 22 points and five rebounds, together accounting for over 50% of LSU’s scoring.
Game Highlights
- Fulwiley’s career-high 28 points places her third all-time in career steals at LSU with 98.
- The game started with Williams scoring two free throws, followed by a 9-0 run from Duke.
- LSU cut the lead to 13-9, prompting a timeout from the Tigers.
- The first quarter closed with Duke leading 24-19.
- Duke extended its lead to 11 early in the second quarter.
- LSU fought back, narrowing the gap to five before halftime.
By halftime, Duke maintained a 47-40 advantage, largely thanks to Fulwiley’s 18 points in the first half. The third quarter saw LSU outscore Duke 11-5, allowing them to briefly take a 53-52 lead. The teams exchanged leads, and by the end of the third quarter, Duke reestablished a 67-65 lead.
Dramatic Finish
The fourth quarter began with a strong 11-4 run from Duke, pushing their lead to 78-67. However, LSU responded fiercely, creating an 18-7 run that brought them back into contention. Free throws from Williams gave LSU the lead as the game neared its conclusion. Ultimately, Duke’s Jackson sealed the victory with a game-winning three-pointer as the final seconds ticked away.
