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Duke Advances to Sweet 16 with Thrilling 59-53 Win Over Oregon
Duke University women’s basketball team, led by Ashlon Jackson’s pivotal performance, overcame a challenging match against Oregon to secure a spot in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament on March 23, 2025.
Lead: In a tense second-round clash of the 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, the Duke Blue Devils edged the Oregon Ducks with a 59-53 victory in Durham, North Carolina, on Sunday. The Blue Devils, seeded No. 2, showcased resilience and teamwork despite playing without their leading scorer, Toby Fournier. Ashlon Jackson emerged as a standout performer, scoring 14 of her 20 points in a decisive third quarter, driving her team forward after trailing at halftime.
Ashlon Jackson’s Standout Performance
– Jackson’s pivotal third-quarter performance included:
– 14 out of her 20 total points.
– 5-of-9 shooting from three-point range.
– Key rebounds and assists that shifted the momentum in Duke’s favor.
Impact of Missing Key Players
– Toby Fournier, the Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year, sat out due to illness.
– Fournier averages 13.4 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.
– Head Coach Kara Lawson indicated that Fournier was not cleared to play shortly before the game, impacting team dynamics.
Game Highlights and Statistics
– Key contributions from other Duke players:
– Reigan Richardson: 13 points.
– Delaney Thomas: 12 points.
– Oregon’s Deja Kelly scored 20 points, while Phillipina Kyei contributed 14 points and 13 rebounds.
– The Ducks led by five points at halftime but struggled offensively in the third quarter.
Turning Point of the Game
– An explosive 11-0 run by Jackson in the third quarter allowed Duke to regain control.
– Jackson’s continuous scoring helped Duke build a 10-point lead.
– Her motivation was simple: “I got tired of missing,” she stated post-game.
Conclusion: With this victory, the Duke Blue Devils will advance to their second consecutive Sweet 16, a testament to their hard work and determination. Coach Lawson emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating, “It’s hard to go to back-to-back Sweet 16s. It’s not something that a lot of programs are able to do.” Fans eagerly await to see how far the Blue Devils can go in this year’s tournament.
Keywords: Duke University, NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, Ashlon Jackson, Toby Fournier, Oregon Ducks, Sweet 16, basketball highlights, women’s college basketball, ACC, NCAA.
Hashtags: #DukeBasketball #WomensNCAATourney #AshlonJackson #Sweet16 #MarchMadness2025
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