The No. 2 seed Duke Blue Devils are headed to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive year.
A No. 10 seed Oregon Ducks team gave Kara Lawson’s program all it could handle during the second round of the women’s basketball NCAA tournament. Sunday’s game was a March Madness special, with all the drama and jaw-dropping moments. Without freshman star Toby Fournier, who was out with an illness, Duke struggled to keep up with Oregon’s size, length and speed. Center Phillipina Kyei went to work early, along with star guard Deja Kelly, putting the Ducks up by five at halftime.
However, a rejuvenated Duke team emerged from the half on fire. Guard Ashlon Jackson nailed two huge 3-point shots and continued her reign of terror against the Ducks well into the fourth quarter. The Blue Devils were pulling away slightly with under two minutes left to play. Duke led 55-51 when Jackson hit a dagger 3-pointer to give her team a 58-51 lead with a minute left in regulation. After the bucket, she gave a little Steph Curry ‘night, night’ celebration. Duke moved on with a gutsy 59-53 win.