The Duke Blue Devils took on the NC State Wolfpack in the ACC Conference championship. This is the first ACC championship appearance for the Blue Devils in the Kara Lawson era. They advanced after upsetting Notre Dame in the semifinals.
This is the fourth ACC title game for the Wolfpack in the last six appearances. They were looking to win their first conference tournament championship since 2022.
The Wolfpack got off to a quick 7-0 start. The Blue Devils did not get on the board until the 7:29 mark. That led to a 5-0 run to cut the lead to two before NC State answered with back to back threes. They knew that they needed to match Duke’s energy, and that is exactly what they did.
The Blue Devils only made two more field goals before NC State ended the first quarter on a 6-0 run to increase their lead to nine. Saniya Rivers led the team with seven points on 60% shooting, followed by Zoe Brooks with 6 on 100% shooting. They forced four turnovers which turned into 10 points and held Duke to under 30% shooting from the field and from three.
It was a 5-0 start for the Wolfpack in the second quarter as they increased their lead to 14. Not only was the offense clicking, but their defense was also on point. It seemed like NC State would cruise their way to a conference title, but the Blue Devils were not going down that easily. This was the same team that held the Fighting Irish to just 52 points in the semifinals.
Duke went on an 8-0 run midway through the quarter to cut the deficit to single digits. While NC State continued making their shots and getting to line, it was clear that the momentum was starting to shift. Towards the end of the quarter, Aziaha James had to be helped to the locker room after taking a hard fall.
At the end of the first half, it was a seven-point game. James was on the court to begin the second half, which was a good sign for the Wolfpack. The Blue Devils began the second half on a 4-0 run to make it a one possession game before Saniya Rivers hit a three to end the drought. Oluchi Okananwa answered with a three of her own to make it a one possession game again.
Okananwa, who primarily comes off the bench, got the start in the second half. She got the Saniya Rivers assignment. The Blue Devils would take their first lead of the game at the 4:14 mark thanks to an 8-2 run.
Once they took the relinquish, they never relinquished it. They ended the third quarter on a 7-0 run to increase their lead. NC State tied the score twice prior to the run, but it was clear that the momentum was on Duke’s side. They held the Wolfpack to just three made field goals, outsourcing them 24-10 in the quarter.
The Blue Devils were also 26-0 in bench points. James scored the first four points for the Wolfpack in the fourth quarter to keep them in the game, but they had no answers on the defensive end. Rivers hit a three at the 7:16 mark to make it a five point game. That was the last time the game was close.
Duke went on 13-1 to increase their lead to 18, which was the largest of the game for either team. They were in full control, and the Wolfpack were completely out of sorts. They kept punishing the Wolfpack on the offensive glass and scoring second chance opportunities. NC State went over four minutes without a made field goal until the 3:09 mark.
While NC State scored a few more points, it was too late. The deficit was too big and time was not on their side. The Blue Devils rallied back from a 14-point deficit and dominated in the second half to win their first ACC tournament title since 2013. This is the first ACC title in the Kara Lawson era and the ninth overall.
Ashlon Jackson and Oluchi Okananwa each finished with 22 points to lead the Blue Devils. Okananwa also grabbed 10 rebounds, and was named ACC Tournament MVP. Her and Jackson were also named to the All-Tournament First Team.
Aziaha James led the Wolfpack with 18 points, followed by Zoe Brooks with 17 and Saniya Rivers with 16. All three were named to the All-Tournament First Team. Madison Hayes was named to the All-Tournament Second Team.
Photo Courtesy: @DukeWBB/X
