Ashlon Jackson’s rim-circling 3-pointer as time expired gave third-seeded Duke an 87-85 win over second-seeded LSU in a roller-coaster Candy 16 matchup on Friday within the Sacramento Area 2 nightcap.
The win sends Duke to the regional remaining on Sunday, when the Blue Devils will face top-seeded UCLA. The Bruins cruised previous fourth-seeded Minnesota within the first Candy 16 contest on Friday, 80-56.
Duke (27-8) led many of the night time and by as many as 11 factors, together with a 78-67 edge within the fourth quarter after an 11-0 run.
LSU (29-6) rallied a number of instances within the sport. The groups exchanged the lead six instances within the third quarter with their large spurt, punctuated with three consecutive transformed and-one alternatives.
Going through one other double-digit deficit within the remaining interval, the Tigers chipped away once more, nonetheless, holding Duke and not using a area aim for greater than 5 minutes. LSU had a chance to take the lead with 37 seconds remaining after MiLaysia Fulwiley intercepted a move close to midcourt.
Nonetheless, with the Blue Devils’ Taina Mair bearing down on her on the fastbreak, Fulwiley tried a reverse layup going left-to-right that rimmed off. Duke regained possession, and LSU despatched Jackson to the foul line — the place she missed each makes an attempt with 19 seconds left.
After a disputed ball knocked out of bounds, LSU pulled forward on a pair of Mikaylah Williams free throws with 9 seconds to go.
Mair had an open have a look at a nook 3-pointer on the following Duke possession and missed, however within the scrum for the free ball, it went out off LSU to arrange the game-winning inbounds play.
Jackson sank a 3-pointer from the appropriate wing to cap a 19-point night time.
Fulwiley led all scorers, ending with 28 factors for LSU. She added 4 assists and 4 rebounds. Williams scored 22 factors within the loss, and Flau’jae Johnson had 13.
–Area Stage Media
