Clemson Women's Basketball Upsets No. 9 Duke in Final Home Game

Head coach Shawn Poppie's team secures key win to solidify NCAA Tournament berth

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Clemson women's basketball upset No. 9 Duke 53-51 in their final home game of the season, led by a late three-pointer from Hannah Kohn. The win is a major boost for the Tigers' NCAA Tournament hopes, as they were on the bubble for much of the season. Head coach Shawn Poppie praised his team's resilience after falling behind early, as well as the energetic home crowd that helped propel the upset victory.

Why it matters

This win over a top-10 opponent is a significant accomplishment for the Clemson women's basketball program, which has struggled to make the NCAA Tournament in recent years. The victory all but secures their spot in the Big Dance, marking the first time they'll reach the tournament since 2018-19. It's a testament to the turnaround Poppie has engineered in just two seasons as head coach.

The details

Clemson fell behind 20-8 in the first quarter but outscored Duke 45-31 the rest of the way, forcing 17 turnovers. Mia Moore's defense and six assists, including a key pass to Kohn for the go-ahead three-pointer, were crucial in the comeback win. The Tigers' seniors celebrated their final home game with the biggest victory of their careers.

  • Clemson trailed Duke 20-8 after the first quarter.
  • Kohn hit the game-winning three-pointer with three seconds remaining.

The players

Shawn Poppie

Clemson's head coach who has led the program's turnaround in just two seasons, earning his first top-10 win.

Hannah Kohn

Clemson player who hit the go-ahead three-pointer in the final seconds to secure the upset victory.

Mia Moore

Clemson senior who played a key role on defense and with her passing to help the Tigers rally from an early deficit.

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What they’re saying

“They were loud and played a huge part in us getting over the hump. I think our kids fed off it, especially defensively.”

— Shawn Poppie, Head Coach (si.com)

“When you look in their eyes when you're down 20-8, there was no defeat. Like, 'We're fine, right? Like, not where we want to be, but we're going to continue to compete and fight.' And I felt that was from start to finish.”

— Shawn Poppie, Head Coach (si.com)

“He was like, 'Let's go, let's go, as we got it,' and he gave me that push. I just have to look him in the eye, and I know it's go time. So, just like I said, doing whatever I can to make sure we secure the win.”

— Mia Moore, Senior Player (si.com)

What’s next

Clemson will look to boost its NCAA Tournament resume even further with a trip to the West Coast next week before heading to the ACC Tournament in March.

The takeaway

Clemson's upset of a top-10 Duke team in their final home game of the season is a major milestone for the program under head coach Shawn Poppie. The Tigers' resilience and defensive effort, coupled with the energy of the home crowd, propelled them to a crucial victory that all but secures their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2018-19.