Duke won with ease, but with some issues, too.
As the road to the Final Four starts.
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 20: Toby Fournier #35 of the Duke Blue Devils takes a shot during a first round game of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament between the Duke Blue Devils and the College of Charleston Cougars held at Cameron Indoor Stadium on March 20, 2026 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Peyton Williams/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) | NCAA Photos via Getty Images D uke took care of Charleston today with relative ease, winning 81-64, behind 24 points from Toby Fournier. The Blue Devils did a lot of things right.
They got rebounds (47-39), outscored Charleston in the lane, 44-20, and got a lot out of the bench (24 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists). However, they fouled the Cougars enough for them to hit 22 free throws, and the Blue Devils lost the turnover battle, 20-13. Charleston also had 19 offensive rebounds.
Fortunately, they only shot 26% overall and 27% on threes, but against a stronger opponent, that would be an issue. Aside from Fournier, Delaney Thomas had 19 points and 9 rebounds, and Jordan Wood had 17 off the bench. Duke now advances, and will play Baylor in the second round on Sunday.
No. 3 Seed Duke Advances with Win Over College of Charleston Toby Fournier scores 24, Duke beats Charleston 81-64 in 1st round of women’s NCAA Tournament Women’s NCAA Tournament first round takeaways: Can Duke’s opponents learn from Charleston’s guard? Women’s NCAA Tournament first round takeaways: Can Duke’s opponents learn from Charleston’s guard?