Duke Stuns LSU in Buzzer-Beater Thriller!

Duke Pulls Off Miracle Win Against LSU

The women’s NCAA Tournament delivered pure March Madness magic this weekend, and one of the most unforgettable moments came from Sacramento. In a thrilling Sweet 16 battle, the three-seed Duke Blue Devils faced off against the two-seed LSU Tigers. The game was tight, but Duke managed to pull ahead in the fourth quarter, leading 75-67.

Duke’s Tobi Fornier hit a tough shot, drawing a foul and sinking the free throw to extend their lead to 78-67. But LSU wasn’t done. Michaela Williams hit a clutch jumper, and after a steal by Malaysia File, LSU found themselves trailing by just one point. The tension was palpable as FA Johnson’s shot wouldn’t fall, and Williams grabbed the rebound. She was fouled and calmly made both free throws, tying the game and then giving LSU the lead. The momentum had swung dramatically.

With only 2.6 seconds left on the clock, Duke needed a miracle. Off the inbounds pass, Ashlyn Watkins caught the ball, and in a scene that will be replayed for years, the ball circled the rim three times before dropping in for the walk-off game-winner. It was a dramatic finish that sent Duke to the Elite Eight, where they’ll face UCLA.

UCLA Dominates Minnesota, Advances Smoothly

Meanwhile, in another Sweet 16 matchup, UCLA, a two-seed, took on four-seed Minnesota. The Bruins controlled the game from the start, with Kiki Rice hitting a step-back jumper to put them up by eight. Lauren Betts, a standout player, scored inside and drew a foul, helping UCLA take a five-point lead into halftime.

Rice and Betts continued their strong play in the second half. Rice finished transition plays with impressive finishes, and Betts dominated in the paint. Betts put up a fantastic stat line of 16 points, five rebounds, and five blocks. The two stars teamed up again late in the game, with Betts finding Rice for a three-pointer. Rice ended up with 21 points. UCLA also got contributions from Gianna Kneepkens and Gabriella Haiz, who hit a shot with a foul. The Bruins cruised to an easy 80-56 victory, punching their ticket to the Elite Eight.

Notre Dame Snaps Streak, Advances Behind Hidalgo’s Brilliance

The women’s tournament also saw Notre Dame battle Vanderbilt. Notre Dame star Hannah Hidalgo put on a defensive clinic, racking up an incredible 10 steals throughout the game. She set a new NCAA Division I record for most steals in a single season. Hidalgo even recorded seven steals in the first half alone, showing her dominance on that end of the floor.

Vanderbilt fought hard, with Aubrey Griffin tying the game at 57 with a three-pointer in the fourth quarter. However, Hidalgo was unstoppable. She stole the ball again and went coast-to-coast for a layup, reasserting Notre Dame’s control. Later, a spectacular bounce pass from Hidalgo around a defender set up Cassandre Prosper for an easy bucket. Despite Vanderbilt’s effort, including Griffin getting her own rebound on a missed three, Notre Dame secured the win. The victory snapped Notre Dame’s four-game losing streak in the Sweet 16, sending them to the Elite Eight to face UConn.

UConn Cruises Past Carolina, Sets Up Star Matchup

In another highly anticipated game, UConn took on Carolina. Paige Bueckers, a top WNBA draft prospect, and Caroline Ducharme were key for UConn. Sarah Strong hit a couple of jumpers to give UConn a lead in the third quarter. Bueckers drove to the basket, and Ducharme added a three-pointer. UConn’s offense clicked, and they defeated Carolina 63-42. Strong had a strong all-around game with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and five steals. UConn now heads to the Elite Eight, where they are favored to beat Notre Dame.

South Carolina Faces Oklahoma in Revenge Game

Looking ahead, one of the most compelling matchups will be between top-seed South Carolina and four-seed Oklahoma. This game has a revenge angle, as Oklahoma upset South Carolina in overtime back in January. South Carolina’s coach, Dawn Staley, will surely have her team motivated to get payback.

Oklahoma boasts a balanced attack, led by Reagan Beers, who led the SEC in field goal percentage. Freshman Aaliyah Chavez also proved to be a clutch scorer, especially in their overtime win. However, South Carolina has a formidable frontcourt with 6’3″ and 6’7″ players in the paint, including the rising Joyce Edwards. With strong guard play from Raven Johnson, Tessa Johnson, and Tanaya Beatty, South Carolina is expected to be a tough opponent. This game is set to be a physical battle.

Source: Sweet 16 recap 🏀 Takeaways, buzzer-beaters & upsets | SportsCenter (YouTube)