Duke Women’s Basketball Advances to Sweet 16

First-Half Struggles for Duke

Despite entering the game as the No. 2 seed, the Blue Devils found themselves struggling early against the tenth-seeded Ducks. Oregon controlled the tempo in the first half, imposing its will defensively and holding Duke to just 10-of-28 shooting from the field.

Former North Carolina standout Deja Kelly led the charge for the Ducks, scoring nine first-half points on 4-of-5 shooting. Oregon’s defense held Duke’s leading scorer, Ashlon Jackson, without a point in the opening 20 minutes. By halftime, Oregon had built a 28-23 advantage, with Phillipina Kyei and Nani Falatea each contributing five points.

Duke’s Second-Half Turnaround

The Blue Devils emerged from the locker room with renewed energy, opening the third quarter on a dominant 16-1 run. Jackson, who had been silent in the first half, exploded for 20 second-half points, providing the spark Duke desperately needed.

“We knew that we just had to continue to compete and up our level a little bit as far as energy-wise and just stay the course,” Jackson said. “(Oregon is) a great team. They're greatly coached. But we knew we had work to do. It really just came from everybody.”

Duke’s defensive intensity also ramped up, limiting Oregon to just 25 second-half points. Reigan Richardson and Delaney Thomas joined Jackson in double figures, scoring 13 and 12 points, respectively. Thomas, however, fouled out late in the fourth quarter.

Oregon’s Effort Falls Short

Despite Duke’s surge, Oregon continued to battle. Kelly poured in nine third-quarter points, finishing with a team-high 20. Kyei also made her presence felt inside, recording a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds.

Oregon cut Duke’s lead to a single point at one stage in the second half, but the Blue Devils held firm down the stretch. Duke closed the game by scoring eight of the final 11 points to seal the win.

Looking Ahead: Duke vs. North Carolina

With the win, Duke advances to face a familiar foe in the Sweet 16: North Carolina. The arch-rivals will square off for a spot in the Elite Eight, adding another chapter to their storied basketball history.

While the challenge ahead is significant, Duke’s performance against Oregon demonstrated resilience and adaptability—qualities they will need against the Tar Heels. For now, though, the Blue Devils can celebrate another hard-earned victory on their road to the Final Four.