In a back-and-forth match up at Legacy Arena Birmingham, Ala, No. 1 South Carolina held off No. 2 Duke, 54-50, to punch their ticket to a fifth straight Final Four appearance. Duke freshman Toby Fournier had a standout game with 18 points, six rebounds and three blocks, but the Gamecocks’ strong fourth quarter was the difference maker.
South Carolina got off to a hot start, taking a quick 10-2 lead while Duke struggled to find their rhythm, shooting just 12.5% from the field in the first five minutes of action. Fournier stepped up, scoring seven straight points to keep the Blue Devils in it, and by the end of the first quarter, Duke had cut their deficit to six.
The Gamecocks controlled the second quarter, extending their lead to 25-14, but Duke fought back. Their defense forced 10 first-half turnovers, and along with an 8-0 run, finished off the half with a good three-pointer by junior Ashlon Jackson to make it a four-point game at halftime.
Duke carried that momentum into the third quarter, going on a 7-0 run to take their first lead of the night. Jackson and Fournier kept Duke ahead, and by the start of the fourth, they were up 42-38. But South Carolina wasn’t done yet.
The Gamecocks came out strong offensively, retaking the lead, 46-42, while Duke missed eight field goal attempts to start the fourth quarter.
Duke had a chance to tie or take the lead in the final 30 seconds, but Jackson’s three-pointer fell short. Despite the tough loss, both Fournier and Jackson earned spots on the All-Tournament team.
South Carolina now moves on to the Final Four, while Duke’s season ends after a hard-fought battle.
lkelyman@ramapo.edu
Featured photo courtesy of @GamecockWBB, X
