Duke Blue Devils Clinch 13th ACC Title with Commanding Win Over Florida State
In a thrilling showdown at Cameron Indoor Stadium, the Duke Blue Devils, ranked 12th in the nation, showcased their dominance with an 80-52 victory over Florida State, securing their 13th ACC women's basketball regular season title. This win not only gives Duke (21-7, 16-1) a share of the regular season crown but also the top seed in the upcoming ACC Championship.
Leading the charge was senior Taina Mair, who delivered a near triple-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, and four steals. Her performance was complemented by Jackson, who added 15 points, four rebounds, and two assists. Florida State, on the other hand, struggled to keep up, falling to 9-20 overall and 4-13 in the ACC.
Sophomore Toby Fournier and junior Delaney Thomas were instrumental in Duke’s success, both recording double-doubles. Fournier tallied 22 points and 13 rebounds, while Thomas contributed 13 points and an impressive 20 rebounds. Riley Nelson also made her mark with 13 points and six assists.
Game Breakdown
The contest began with both teams exchanging baskets, with Florida State taking an early 14-11 lead thanks to their efficient 60-percent shooting. Despite Duke's dominance on the boards, the Seminoles maintained a slight edge.
Florida State extended their lead to five before Duke responded with a six-point run, taking a 17-16 lead. The Seminoles, however, finished the quarter strong, holding a 20-17 advantage.
Fournier and Thomas were pivotal in the first quarter, combining for 15 of Duke’s 17 points. As the second quarter unfolded, they continued to drive Duke's offense, helping the Blue Devils regain the lead at 21-20.
Despite some shooting struggles, Duke found their rhythm with key three-pointers from Fournier and Jackson, pushing the lead to 27-22. Jackson, shaking off a slow start, connected on crucial shots to extend Duke's lead to 32-25. Florida State narrowed the gap to four by halftime, with Duke up 33-29.
The third quarter saw Duke explode with a 7-0 run, extending their lead to 40-29. The Blue Devils’ offense was firing on all cylinders, with six players contributing points, while their defense stifled the Seminoles, holding them to 28.6 percent shooting and forcing five turnovers. Mair was everywhere on the court, adding five points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals in the quarter.
Duke continued their relentless pace in the fourth quarter, launching a 16-2 run to stretch the lead to 28 points. Nelson shone brightly with 10 points in the final period, as the Blue Devils outscored Florida State 25-12, sealing the 80-52 victory.
For Florida State, Jasmin Shavers led the scoring with 21 points, and Tatum Greene pulled down a team-high eight rebounds.
Looking ahead, the Blue Devils will cap off their regular season with a matchup against No. 21 North Carolina on March 1.
Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. on ESPN. For fans eager to keep up with Duke women's basketball, following their social media channels and subscribing to their YouTube channel is a must.