Duke Women’s Basketball Clinches ACC Championship
In Durham, North Carolina, the 12th-ranked Duke women’s basketball team clinched at least a share of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) regular-season championship with a commanding 80-52 victory over Florida State on Thursday night.
Standout Performers
Toby Fournier was a standout player, recording 22 points and 13 rebounds. The Blue Devils’ performance was bolstered by Delaney Thomas, who not only scored 13 points but also achieved a personal best with 20 rebounds. Taina Mair also contributed significantly, posting a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Ashlon Jackson added to the scoring efforts with 15 points, while Riley Nelson chipped in 11.
Florida State’s Struggles
Florida State, struggling with a season record of 9-19 and 4-12 in conference play, saw notable contributions from Jasmine Shavers, who scored 21 points, and Sole Williams, with 12 points. However, the Seminoles faced a considerable disadvantage on the boards, being out-rebounded 54-30.
Game Highlights
Duke had a narrow lead of 33-29 at halftime but propelled into the second half with a strong 13-2 run that set the tone for the rest of the game, eventually outscoring Florida State 47-23 in the final two quarters. This win not only marked Duke’s recovery from their previous loss to Clemson but also established a new record for the number of ACC victories in a season under head coach Kara Lawson, totaling 16.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Florida State will wrap up their regular season this Sunday with an away game against Wake Forest, while Duke will head to Chapel Hill to face off against 21st-ranked North Carolina in their final regular-season matchup.
