LSU
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (03/26/2026) — A stunning, last-second shot ended the LSU Tigers' season Thursday night as Duke Blue Devils guard Ashlon Jackson connected on a 25-foot three-pointer at the buzzer, delivering an 87-85 victory to Duke at the Golden 1 Center.
The final play concluded a back-and-forth thriller that saw LSU erase a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit only to fall on the final possession. The loss brings a sudden close to the Tigers' 2026 campaign.
How It Happened
Duke established its perimeter game early, setting a tone that would persist throughout the contest. An Ashlon Jackson three-pointer gave the Blue Devils a 5-2 lead at the 8:12 mark of the first quarter. While LSU’s MiLaysia Fulwiley answered with her own deep shots to keep the Tigers close, Duke forward Arianna Roberson drained a three of her own to push the Duke advantage to 22-14 late in the period. The Blue Devils ended the first quarter with a 24-19 lead.
The second quarter saw Duke create significant separation. A three-pointer from guard Taina Mair with 6:59 remaining before halftime extended the Blue Devils' lead to 34-23. The Tigers fought back, fueled by guard Mikaylah Williams, whose 25-foot three-pointer cut the deficit to just four points with 2:14 on the clock. Duke carried a 47-40 lead into the locker room.
LSU came out energized in the third quarter, methodically chipping away at the Duke lead. The Tigers finally broke through when forward Flau'jae Johnson converted a layup at the 6:02 mark to give LSU a 55-54 advantage, its first lead since the game's opening moments. The lead was short-lived, as the teams traded baskets in a frantic sequence. Mair hit another crucial three-pointer for Duke, and the Blue Devils clung to a narrow 67-65 lead heading into the final frame.
Turning Point
The game's pivotal stretch began after Mikaylah Williams tied the game at 67-67 with a layup to open the fourth quarter. Duke responded with a decisive 11-0 run, overwhelming the Tigers' defense. The run was capped by Taina Mair's 24-foot three-pointer with 5:11 left to play, staking the Blue Devils to a commanding 83-73 lead.
Despite the deficit, LSU refused to quit, mounting a furious 12-1 rally over the next five minutes to reclaim the lead in the final seconds. That comeback, however, only set the stage for the ultimate turning point: Jackson’s game-winner. With the clock expiring, Jackson pulled up from well beyond the arc and sank the shot, silencing the LSU faithful and sending Duke storming onto the court in celebration.
Star of the Game
In a losing effort, LSU guard MiLaysia Fulwiley delivered a masterful performance. She led all scorers with 28 points, shooting efficiently from all over the floor while adding four rebounds and four assists. Fulwiley was the engine of the Tigers' offense, consistently creating scoring opportunities and keeping LSU within striking distance.
For the victorious Blue Devils, Taina Mair and Toby Fournier shared the team-high of 22 points. Mair orchestrated the offense with four assists, while Fournier was a force inside with nine rebounds. Arianna Roberson also made a significant impact on the glass, pulling down 10 rebounds. But the night belonged to Ashlon Jackson, whose 19 points and five assists were capped by the unforgettable game-winning shot.
What It Means
The loss marks a heartbreaking end to the season for the LSU Tigers. After a hard-fought game where they displayed resilience in the face of a large fourth-quarter deficit, the finality of a buzzer-beater is a difficult conclusion. The Tigers shot a higher percentage from the field (46% to 42%) but were outmatched in ball movement, as Duke recorded 16 assists to LSU's eight.
For the Duke Blue Devils, the dramatic victory propels them forward in postseason play. Their ability to build a lead with a significant run and then execute a perfect final play under maximum pressure demonstrates the poise required to make a deep tournament run.