Duke’s Last‑Second Shot, Notre Dame’s Upset and Other Shockers in the Sweet 16

In Fort Worth and Sacramento, the women’s NCAA tournament cut its field in half after a night of big losses and dramatic finishes. The most talked‑about moment was when Duke’s Ashlon Jackson hit a 3‑pointer as the buzzer sounded, beating LSU 87‑85 and sending Duke to the Elite Eight for a second straight year. Jackson’s shot, made after a tough night shooting from long range, was the highlight of a Sweet 16 that saw many teams either rise or fall. The tournament also brought unexpected turns for Notre Dame. Coach Niele Ivey, who faced criticism after a rough stretch early in the season, rallied her squad to upset No. 2 Vanderbilt and reach the Elite Eight for the first time in six years. Even after losing key players, the Irish turned their season around and made a strong case for Ivey’s coaching acumen.Texas coach Vic Schaefer showed his trademark intensity by keeping his jacket on during a dominant win over Kentucky, while TCU’s star duo of Olivia Miles and Marta Suarez poured 61 points to beat Virginia. Their performance earned both players a spot in the Elite Eight for the first time, underscoring how individual brilliance can carry a team through tough games. On the downside, several favorites stumbled. Louisville struggled to maintain early momentum against Michigan and could not convert open shots, leading to a 71‑52 loss. LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson ended her streak of Elite Eight appearances after Duke’s last‑second victory, highlighting how quickly fortunes can change in tournament play. Coach Kim Mulkey denied retirement rumors amid the chaos, insisting she remains committed to LSU. The NCAA itself faced criticism from UConn’s Geno Auriemma, who blasted the new rims and balls that seemed to hurt 3‑point shooting. He also opposed the shift from four regional sites to two, arguing it made the tournament harder for players and lowered attendance. Auriemma’s outburst reflects growing frustration among coaches over the organization of the event.