No. 13 Duke rallies past No. 12 Louisville 70-65 in overtime to win women's ACC Tournament No. 13 Duke Blue Devils secured their second consecutive women’s Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament title with a 70-65 overtime victory over No. 12 Louisville Cardinals on Sunday, March 8, 2026. The game, played in the Ally ACC Tournament final, saw Taina Mair lead the way with 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Delaney Thomas added 19 points to propel Duke to the win. The Blue Devils trailed for much of the contest but mounted a late rally in the fourth quarter, forcing overtime. Louisville, led by Imari Berry’s 18 points, held a narrow lead entering the extra period. In the overtime frame, Duke’s relentless offensive pressure and clutch free-throw shooting proved decisive. Mair’s 25-foot three-point jumper with 2:10 remaining in the extra session gave Duke the lead, and the team held off Louisville’s final attempts to secure the victory. Key moments in the game included a pivotal three-point play by Riley Nelson, who connected on a 23-foot jumper with an assist from Ashlon Jackson, and a crucial free-throw sequence by Taina Mair, who converted both shots to extend Duke’s lead. Louisville’s Tajianna Roberts and Laura Ziegler also contributed with key three-pointers, but Duke’s balanced scoring and defensive adjustments in the final minutes sealed the win. The Blue Devils’ ability to maintain composure in high-pressure moments highlighted their championship pedigree, while Louisville’s resilience in the overtime period underscored the competitive nature of the ACC Tournament. Duke’s victory marks another milestone in the program’s resurgence under head coach Joanne Pickett, who now guides the team to back-to-back titles.#duke_blue_devils #louisville_cardinals #taina_mair #delaney_thomas #joanne_pickett
