Duke's Ashlon Jackson hits spinning game-winner to stun LSU in March Madness

Jackson's last-second three-pointer caps Duke's comeback and sends the Blue Devils to the Elite 8.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 5:26am

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In a thrilling Sweet 16 matchup, Duke guard Ashlon Jackson hit a spinning, buzzer-beating three-pointer to defeat LSU 87-85 and send the Blue Devils to the Elite 8 of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. Duke had blown a late 9-point lead, but Jackson's heroics capped a remarkable comeback and kept the Blue Devils' season alive.

Why it matters

This game-winning shot is already being hailed as one of the most iconic moments of the 2026 March Madness tournament. It not only saved Duke's season, but it also marked a redemptive moment for Jackson, who had missed two crucial free throws late that allowed LSU to take the lead. The win also sets up an intriguing Elite 8 matchup between Duke and No. 1 seed UCLA.

The details

With Duke trailing 85-84 and just 2.6 seconds remaining, Jackson received the inbound pass, pump-faked to get LSU's Flau'jae Johnson off her feet, and then launched a three-pointer that circled the rim three times before falling through the net as time expired. The shot capped a remarkable comeback for Duke, who had led 84-75 with under 3:30 to play before LSU rattled off 10 straight points to take the lead.

  • Duke trailed LSU 85-84 with 2.6 seconds left in the game.
  • Jackson hit the game-winning three-pointer as time expired.

The players

Ashlon Jackson

A senior guard for the Duke Blue Devils who hit the game-winning shot to defeat LSU and send Duke to the Elite 8 of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament.

Flau'jae Johnson

A star player for the LSU Tigers who was defending Ashlon Jackson on the final possession.

Kara Lawson

The head coach of the Duke Blue Devils, who guided her team to the Elite 8 with the thrilling last-second victory over LSU.

Kim Mulkey

The head coach of the LSU Tigers, whose team was on the wrong end of Ashlon Jackson's game-winning shot.

Jordan Wood

The Duke player who inbounded the ball to Ashlon Jackson for the game-winning possession.

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What they’re saying

“You truly have to see it to believe it.”

— Mookie Alexander, Author

What’s next

Duke will face No. 1 seed UCLA in the Elite 8 on Sunday, March 30, 2026 with a trip to the Final Four on the line.

The takeaway

Ashlon Jackson's last-second heroics not only kept Duke's season alive, but it also delivered one of the most thrilling and iconic moments of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. This game-winning shot will be remembered for years to come as an all-time March Madness moment.