Duke tops Oregon thanks to Ashlon Jackson's standout performance

In an exciting game that took place on March 23, 2025, Duke Blue Devils faced off against Oregon Ducks in the second round of the women's NCAA Tournament in Durham, North Carolina. The Blue Devils, ranked as the No. 2 seed in the tournament, were looking to advance to the Sweet 16 after a strong season. Unfortunately for Oregon, they were competing as a lower-seeded team and were without their top scorer Toby Fournier, who was sidelined due to illness. This created a challenging situation for Duke as they needed to step up their game without their key player. The game started with Oregon taking a five-point lead at halftime. However, the second half showcased a significant shift in momentum as Ashlon Jackson found her rhythm, scoring 14 of her team-high 20 points in the third quarter. Jackson’s impressive performance fueled an 11-0 run, allowing Duke to regain the lead after being down at halftime. Her shooting from beyond the arc proved vital during this period, and she was instrumental in capping off a 16-1 run that gave her team a commanding advantage. Duke's defensive strategy also played a crucial role in their victory, particularly during the third quarter when Oregon struggled offensively, failing to score for the first six minutes. Despite their defensive effort, Oregon could only trim the deficit to one point in the fourth quarter, unable to fully recover from Duke's surge. Although Deja Kelly led the Ducks with 20 points, the support from her teammates fell short, as they could not regain control against Duke’s balanced attack led by Jackson. The win not only allowed Duke to advance but also marked a significant milestone for the program. This victory ensures that Duke has reached at least the Sweet 16 in consecutive seasons, a feat not accomplished since their stretch of four straight Elite Eights under former coach Joanne P. McCallie, with the last being in 2013. Duke will now look forward to their next challenge as they prepare to face the winner of the North Carolina and West Virginia matchup in the Sweet 16, bringing high hopes and confidence from their recent success against Oregon.