And-one: Duke women's basketball falls in Elite Eight despite strong defensive effort

No. 2-seed Duke women's basketball fell in the Elite Eight to a hot South Carolina squad. The Blue Zone is here to break down the Blue Devils' tournament run, complete with a key player, one word and one stat to describe the performances:  

One player: Toby Fournier

Freshman forward Toby Fournier emerged as a pivotal contributor during Duke’s tournament journey, showcasing maturity and poise beyond her years. Fournier’s standout moment came in an Elite Eight clash against No. 1-seed South Carolina, where she led the Blue Devils with 18 points and anchored the offense during key stretches. Her footwork and composure in the post allowed her to generate consistent looks against one of the nation’s most physical frontcourts. On the other end, Fournier held her ground, contributing to a closely contested game that ended in a narrow 54-50 defeat for Duke. She averaged double-digit points throughout the tournament, embracing the spotlight with quiet dominance. As the Blue Devils continue to aim towards a title run, Fournier looks every bit like the foundational piece they can build around.

One word: Tenacity

Duke’s tournament run was defined by tenacious defense and resilience. This was epitomized in its 47-38 victory over archrival North Carolina in the Sweet 16, where the Blue Devils held the Tar Heels to their lowest scoring output of the season. The defensive effort was relentless, with Duke contesting shots and dominating the boards to limit second-chance opportunities. That same defensive identity was on display earlier against Lehigh, where the squad from Durham overwhelmed the Mountain Hawks in an 86-25 blowout, and again versus Oregon, where clutch stops in the fourth quarter sealed the deal. Even in the Elite Eight loss, the Blue Devils’ defense kept the game within reach until the final moments.This unwavering commitment to defense and adaptability under pressure highlighted the team’s character and determination throughout the tournament.

One stat: 64 NCAA Tournament wins

Duke’s advancement to the Elite Eight marked the team’s 64th all-time NCAA Tournament victory, reinforcing its status among the most storied programs in women’s college basketball. Under head coach Kara Lawson’s leadership, the Blue Devils have reestablished themselves as a perennial contender, blending defensive grit with rising young talent. Each tournament win this season — starting with the victory against Lehigh, followed by those hard-fought triumphs against Oregon and North Carolina — added to this legacy. But all the wins also serve as a reminder: Duke still holds the record for the most NCAA Tournament victories without a national title in Division I women’s basketball history. With a core group of players set to return next year, the Blue Devils’ pursuit of championship glory seems promising and imminent. If the 64-win mark signals anything, it’s that Duke is no longer knocking on the door. Lawson and her squad are poised to kick it down.