Duke knocks LSU out of Women’s March Madness 2026 with insane spinning game-winner
Duke turned a late Sweet 16 collapse against LSU into one of the craziest buzzer-beating winners you’ll ever see.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 27: Ashlon Jackson #3 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates with teammates after making the game winning shot to defeat the Louisiana State Tigers in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 27, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images There has been no shortage of incredible late-game heroics in both this year men’s and women’s March Madness, but it’ll be hard to come up with anything better than what Duke guard Ashlon Jackson pulled off to send the Blue Devils to their first Elite 8 in 13 years.
Down 85-84 to LSU with 2. 6 seconds left, Jackson received the inbound pass from Jordan Wood, got LSU star Flau’jae Johnson to bite on her shot fake, and put up a three-pointer with about a second before the clock hit triple zeroes. The ball circled around the rim three times before dropping through the net for a dagger that’s as thrilling for Duke as it was agonizing for Kim Mulkey and her squad.
You truly have to see it to believe it: ABSOLUTELY NOTHING SWEETER 📺 @espn pic. twitter. com/oqLxsjcZnC — Duke Women’s Basketball (@DukeWBB) March 28, 2026 Jackson’s shot was not just iconic, it was redemptive.
Kara Lawson’s team was up 84-75 with under 3:30 to play in the fourth quarter, only for LSU to rattle off 10 straight to take the lead in the closing seconds. Clinging to an 84-83 lead with :18 to go, the usually reliable Jackson missed two free throws that would’ve given Duke a three-point lead. LSU’s Mikaylah Williams capitalized with go-ahead free throws at the other end, but after the Tigers failed to secure the rebound on Taina Mair’s corner three, Jackson seized her big moment to keep Duke’s season (and her collegiate career) alive.