Duke led No. 2 UCLA by eight points at halftime, but the Bruins outscored the Blue Devils 20-8 in the third quarter, sealing a 70-58 win in the NCAA Women's Basketball Elite Eight. Taina Mair led Duke with 21 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, matching the single-season assists record at 201. While Duke maintained a competitive first half, UCLA dominated the second, especially in the paint, ultimately reversing the game鈥檚 momentum.

By the Numbers
  • Taina Mair scored 21 points, adding to her 201 assists this season.
  • UCLA outscored Duke 26-8 in the paint during the second half.
  • Duke finished the game shooting 53% in the first half but only managed 8 points in the third quarter.
Yes, But

While Duke had a strong start, the team's inability to sustain their early momentum showcases critical vulnerabilities in high-pressure situations, especially against an experienced team like UCLA.

State of Play
  • Duke ended their season with a 27-9 overall record.
  • The Blue Devils made their 13th Elite Eight appearance, highlighting both progress and ongoing challenges in elite postseason play.
What's Next

Duke will look to regroup for next season, focusing on retaining key players and building on this year's performance to enhance their competitiveness in the NCAA tournament.

Bottom Line

Duke demonstrated significant potential but must learn from their second-half struggles to convert early leads into playoff victories in the future.