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Duke women's basketball routs Lehigh in NCAA tournament opener
Oluchi Okananwa leads Blue Devils with 15 points in 86-25 victory
Published on Mar. 11, 2026
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The second-seeded Duke Blue Devils women's basketball team cruised to an 86-25 victory over the 15th-seeded Lehigh Mountain Hawks in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Friday night. Duke's stifling defense was the key to the lopsided win, limiting Lehigh to just 25 points.
Why it matters
Duke, a perennial women's basketball powerhouse, is looking to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament after a disappointing early exit last year. This dominant performance against an overmatched Lehigh squad shows the Blue Devils are in top form and poised to be a tough out for any opponent.
The details
Sophomore forward Oluchi Okananwa led the way for Duke, scoring 15 points in the blowout victory. The Blue Devils' defense was the real story, however, as they held Lehigh to just 25 points on 19.2% shooting from the field. Duke forced 22 Mountain Hawks turnovers and outrebounded their opponent 52-27.
- The game was played on Friday, March 20, 2026.
The players
Oluchi Okananwa
A sophomore forward for the Duke Blue Devils women's basketball team.
Duke Blue Devils
The women's basketball team of Duke University, a perennial powerhouse in the sport.
Lehigh Mountain Hawks
The women's basketball team of Lehigh University, the 15th seed in the NCAA tournament.
What’s next
Duke will face the winner of the game between the 7th-seeded Oregon Ducks and the 10th-seeded Florida State Seminoles in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
The takeaway
Duke's dominant defensive performance against Lehigh showcases the Blue Devils' potential to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament. Their ability to suffocate opponents and force turnovers will be a key factor as they advance further in the competition.
