Duke knocks LSU out of Women’s March Madness 2026 with insane spinning game-winner
· Yahoo Sports
There has been no shortage of incredible late-game heroics in both this year men’s and women’s March Madness, but it’ll be hard to come up with anything better than what Duke guard Ashlon Jackson pulled off to send the Blue Devils to their first Elite 8 in 13 years.
Down 85-84 to LSU with 2.6 seconds left, Jackson received the inbound pass from Jordan Wood, got LSU star Flau’jae Johnson to bite on her shot fake, and put up a three-pointer with about a second before the clock hit triple zeroes. The ball circled around the rim three times before dropping through the net for a dagger that’s as thrilling for Duke as it was agonizing for Kim Mulkey and her squad. You truly have to see it to believe it:
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ABSOLUTELY NOTHING SWEETER
— Duke Women’s Basketball (@DukeWBB) March 28, 2026
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Jackson’s shot was not just iconic, it was redemptive. Kara Lawson’s team was up 84-75 with under 3:30 to play in the fourth quarter, only for LSU to rattle off 10 straight to take the lead in the closing seconds. Clinging to an 84-83 lead with :18 to go, the usually reliable Jackson missed two free throws that would’ve given Duke a three-point lead. LSU’s Mikaylah Williams capitalized with go-ahead free throws at the other end, but after the Tigers failed to secure the rebound on Taina Mair’s corner three, Jackson seized her big moment to keep Duke’s season (and her collegiate career) alive.
This was also a bit of apt and sweet revenge for Duke, who were once 3-6 after losing by 16 at home to LSU way back in December. They’ve since gone 24-2, won the ACC regular season and conference tournament, and have their sights set on reaching their first Final Four since 2006. Their final hurdle to clear to get to Phoenix and the national semifinals is No. 1 seed UCLA on Sunday afternoon in Sacramento.