Duke's Ashlon Jackson becomes March hero with buzzer-beater vs. LSU

Jackson's game-winner circled the rim twice before falling in and giving Duke a thrilling 87-85 win in the Sweet 16

Mar. 28, 2026 at 1:33pm

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Duke's Ashlon Jackson hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to give the third-seeded Blue Devils an 87-85 win over second-seeded LSU in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. Jackson's shot came after she had missed two free throws just seconds earlier, allowing LSU to take a late lead. But Duke got the ball back with 2.6 seconds left and Kara Lawson drew up a play to get the ball in Jackson's hands, and she delivered the dramatic game-winner that sent Duke to the Elite Eight.

Why it matters

Duke started the season 3-6 and had lost to LSU earlier in the year, but the team rallied to win 17 straight games and reach the Sweet 16. The win over LSU, capped by Jackson's buzzer-beater, represents a full-circle moment for the Blue Devils, who have not made the Final Four since 2006 and now have a chance to end that drought by beating top-seeded UCLA in the Elite Eight.

The details

With the game tied at 85-85 and 9.8 seconds left, LSU took the lead on two free throws by Mikayla Williams. But Duke got the ball back with 2.6 seconds remaining and Lawson drew up a play to get the ball to Jackson, who pump faked around LSU star Flau'jae Johnson and hit the game-winning 3-pointer as time expired. Jackson finished with 19 points, while Taina Mair and Toby Fournier had 22 each for Duke. LSU was led by MiLaysia Fulwiley and Williams, who combined for 50 points.

  • Duke started the season 3-6 and lost to LSU in December.
  • Duke went on to win 17 consecutive games after that early-season loss to LSU.
  • The Sweet 16 matchup between Duke and LSU on March 28, 2026 represented a chance for Duke to avenge that earlier loss.
  • With 2.6 seconds left in the game, Duke took a timeout to draw up the final play that resulted in Jackson's game-winning shot.
  • Jackson's buzzer-beater came just 20 seconds after she had missed two free throws that would have given Duke the lead.

The players

Ashlon Jackson

A Duke player who hit the game-winning buzzer-beater 3-pointer to give the Blue Devils an 87-85 win over LSU in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament.

Kara Lawson

The head coach of the Duke women's basketball team, who drew up the final play that resulted in Jackson's game-winning shot.

Flau'jae Johnson

An LSU player who Jackson pump faked around before hitting the game-winning 3-pointer.

Mikayla Williams

An LSU player who hit two clutch free throws to give the Tigers a late lead, before Duke's final possession and Jackson's heroics.

MiLaysia Fulwiley

An LSU player who had a clutch steal late in the game to set up Williams' go-ahead free throws.

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What they’re saying

“My teammates and my coaches, they trust me, and they believe in me. And whenever shots aren't really falling for me, I can't really hang my head. That's just how the game goes. Every competitor knows that. But just having that faith from them and the belief from them is really all I needed.”

— Ashlon Jackson, Duke Player

“The way it went in, I felt like I was in a dream and it was just, you know, playing back over and over again before the ball went in. So just having that, it was a great feeling, for sure.”

— Ashlon Jackson, Duke Player

“I thought it was an incredible game. Both teams played so hard. It was fitting it came down to the last possession. We had squandered away a little bit of a lead there late and luckily got another opportunity with two-and-a-half seconds left. And there was no doubt who I was going to in that situation.”

— Kara Lawson, Duke Head Coach

What’s next

Duke will face top-seeded UCLA in the Elite Eight on Sunday, March 30, 2026. The Blue Devils will be looking to reach the Final Four for the first time since 2006, while UCLA will be seeking revenge after handing Duke a 30-point loss earlier in the season.

The takeaway

Ashlon Jackson's dramatic game-winning buzzer-beater capped a remarkable comeback season for Duke, which started 3-6 but rallied to win 17 straight games and knock off LSU in the Sweet 16. The Blue Devils' resilience and Lawson's coaching have them one win away from the Final Four, setting up an intriguing Elite Eight matchup with UCLA.