- Duke extends win streak to 4 games behind Oluchi Okananwa's 13-point bench effort
- Blue Devils limit Louisville to 18 first-half points with lockdown defense
- ACC Rookie of the Year Toby Fournier posts 10 points, 8 rebounds
- Semifinal matchup vs Notre Dame marks Duke's first ACC final four since 2022
GREENSBORO, NC – Third-seeded Duke (24-7) delivered a defensive masterclass at First Horizon Coliseum on Friday night, holding sixth-seeded Louisville to 31% shooting in their 61-48 ACC Tournament quarterfinal rout. The Blue Devils' deep bench outscored Louisville's reserves 27-13, led by freshman guard Oluchi Okananwa's efficient 13-point performance in just 19 minutes.
Duke's swarming defense set the tone early, forcing 5 turnovers during a critical second-quarter stretch where Louisville managed just 2 points in seven minutes. By halftime, the Blue Devils built a 31-18 advantage through balanced scoring from six different players. Head coach Kara Lawson emphasized postgame: When we defend at this level and share the ball, we can compete with anyone in the country.
The victory extends Duke's best ACC Tournament run since their 2022 championship appearance. Saturday's semifinal against No. 6 Notre Dame (25-5) features intriguing tactical matchups:
- Duke allows 58.3 PPG (3rd ACC) vs Notre Dame's conference-leading 76.1 PPG offense
- Rebounding battle: Blue Devils average +7.2 margin, Irish +5.8
- 3-point defense: Duke holds opponents to 28.9% (2nd ACC)
Regional Insight: North Carolina-based ACC teams are 9-3 in Greensboro tournament games since 2020. Duke's 45-30 lead after three quarters showcased their ability to leverage home-state support into defensive intensity, holding Louisville to 0 fast-break points in the second half.
With NCAA Tournament seeding implications on the line, Saturday's semifinal (5 PM ET, ESPN) could hinge on Duke's ability to contain Notre Dame All-ACC guard Hannah Hidalgo (22.9 PPG). The Blue Devils won their regular-season meeting 53-46 on February 22 through dominant paint play, outrebounding the Irish 42-31.