We’re Baaaaack! Duke Dominates #7 NC State To Win 2025 ACC Women’s Tournament

What a performance by the Blue Devils

Duke was down big to NC State in the first half before erasing a 14 point deficit and winning 76-62.

This is Duke’s first title since 2013 and it is richly deserved.

The Blue Devils took out the #2 team (Notre Dame) on Saturday and the #1 Wolfpack on Sunday.

As Kara Lawson noted, Duke had to play every ACC team that beat them in the regular season to win this one (she overlooked UNC but Duke beat them in the regular season finale).

NC State shot out to a 7-0 lead as Duke struggled early and went up 24-12 in the second quarter.

The Blue Devils cut the lead to 36-29 before a second half that will likely be iconic in the history of Lawson’s program.

Duke outscored the Pack 24-10 in the third to go up 53-46 and then 23-16 in the fourth.

At a certain point it looked almost like Duke was toying with the #7 team in the country. The Blue Devils didn't force turnovers like they sometimes do, but they dominated NC State on the offensive boards, 14-7, and on the boards overall 44-28.

Duke just looked fresher, stronger, and better.

Sophomore Oluchi Okananwa had 22 points and 10 boards off the bench and was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Ashlon Jackson also had 22. Jadyn Donovan had eight rebounds to contribute to Duke’s dominance there.

We thought this would be a much more competitive game than it turned out to be. In the end, the Blue Devils just dominated State. They were far faster, far stronger and far better.

Now it’s time to see where the NCAA seeds them. Congratulations to Coach Lawson and her team. This was one of the better women's games we’ve seen in a long time.

• REVENGE TOUR: Duke women’s basketball knocks off NC State 76-62 for first ACC championship since 2013
• Battle of the Triangle: Duke takes down NC State to win the women’s ACC tournament title
• NC State women’s basketball star Aziaha James returns after injury scare vs. Duke
• How Duke women’s basketball used relentless 2nd-half rally to win ACC championship