Clemson women's basketball upsets No. 9 Duke

Hannah Kohn's late 3-pointer lifts Tigers to victory over Blue Devils

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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In a stunning upset, the Clemson women's basketball team defeated the 9th-ranked Duke Blue Devils 53-51 on Sunday. Hannah Kohn hit the game-winning 3-pointer with just 3.1 seconds left to snap Duke's 17-game winning streak. Demeara Hinds led Clemson with 13 points, while Taylor Johnson-Matthews and Mia Moore each added 11. Duke's Toby Fournier had 18 points and 7 rebounds, but was held in check in the second half after a strong start.

Why it matters

This victory is a major resume-building win for Clemson as they look to secure an NCAA Tournament berth. The Tigers were able to rally back from an early deficit and play strong defense down the stretch to take down the highly-ranked Blue Devils. This upset could have significant implications for both teams' postseason positioning.

The details

Clemson trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half, but chipped away at the deficit and took the lead late in the fourth quarter. After Duke regained the lead with under 10 seconds left, Kohn hit the game-winning 3-pointer to stun the Blue Devils. The Tigers made 4 of their final 5 shots to complete the comeback victory.

  • Clemson trailed 20-8 after the first quarter, but battled back in the second half.
  • Kohn hit the game-winning 3-pointer with just 3.1 seconds remaining.
  • The loss snapped Duke's 17-game winning streak.

The players

Hannah Kohn

Clemson guard who hit the game-winning 3-pointer in the final seconds.

Demeara Hinds

Clemson forward who led the team with 13 points.

Toby Fournier

Duke forward who had 18 points and 7 rebounds, but was held in check in the second half.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

Duke will look to bounce back when they host Florida State on Thursday night, while Clemson will visit California on the same evening.

The takeaway

This upset victory showcases Clemson's ability to compete with the top teams in the ACC and could be a major boost to their NCAA Tournament hopes. The Tigers' resilience and strong defensive effort in the second half were key factors in taking down the highly-ranked Blue Devils.