Clemson Stuns No. 9 Duke 53-51 with Kohn’s Last-Second Three

by February 22, 2026

Clemson’s Thrilling Victory Over Duke

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — In a thrilling finish, Hannah Kohn secured a pivotal victory for Clemson on Sunday by sinking a 3-pointer with just 3.1 seconds to go, marking her first points of the game. This late shot helped end Duke’s impressive 17-game win streak, resulting in a surprising score of 53-51.

Significance of the Win

The win was significant for the Tigers (19-9, 10-6 ACC), who bolstered their chances for the NCAA Tournament with this strong performance. Demeara Hinds led Clemson with 13 points, while both Taylor Johnson-Matthews and Mia Moore contributed 11 points each.

Duke’s Performance

Duke (20-7, 15-1 ACC), having been a dominant force throughout the season, saw standout Toby Fournier score 18 points and pull down seven rebounds. However, his influence waned in the second half after a strong start, where he had 14 points before halftime.

Game Highlights

The Blue Devils appeared to have control of the game as they headed into the fourth quarter, only for Clemson to ramp up their defensive efforts. The turning point came when Moore completed a 3-point play, putting the Tigers ahead 44-43 with just over three minutes left. Johnson-Matthews then extended the lead to four points with a well-timed 3-pointer.

Duke fought back, reclaiming the lead when Riley Nelson hit a corner three-pointer with under ten seconds left. However, Kohn’s clutch shot ultimately sealed Duke’s first loss in conference play this season, as they were unable to capitalize on the final possession after an inbounds pass was intercepted.

Upcoming Matches

Next on the schedule, Duke will prepare to face Florida State at home on Thursday night, while Clemson is set to visit California the same evening.