SACRAMENTO – Cori Close has rarely witnessed so many shots, let alone game-winners.
The ball circled the rim multiple times before finally dropping through the net as the buzzer sounded.
“It’s incredible,” Close remarked Saturday, reflecting on Duke’s Ashron Jackson hitting a game-winning shot against LSU in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. “What a moment this is. She won’t forget it.”
Close anticipates some familiarity with the top-seeded UCLA women’s basketball team when they meet the Blue Devils in the Elite Eight on Sunday.
In their previous encounter back in November, the Bruins dominated Duke, winning by 30 points. This kicked off a rough patch for the Blue Devils, who lost six of their first nine games, including a 16-point defeat to LSU.
But, as the third-seeded Duke proved with their tight 87-85 win over the second-seeded Tigers on Friday night, circumstances can shift during this time of year.
“We told the team, these are two entirely different teams,” Close noted. “Even though we faced each other in November, they’ve certainly improved a lot. They’re connecting well on the court, playing with great effort.”
“We believe we are different too, and perhaps even better. So, it really comes down to who can represent their identity the best.”
UCLA, on the other hand, has struggled to maintain consistent performance throughout the NCAA tournament.
The Bruins (34-1) faced tough moments early against Cal Baptist and late against Oklahoma State, also falling behind in Friday’s Sweet 16 matchup against Minnesota.
Duke (27-8), however, quickly built a double-digit lead against LSU, looking comfortable until a near collapse. Jackson’s last-second shot through an LSU defender kept the Blue Devils’ hopes alive.
“I initially thought it was Frauge. [Johnson],” Close mused about the Tigers’ guard. “[Jackson] kept her composure, and that was key—our players were invested. They deserve the praise.”
Close believes her team is gaining momentum, having won 24 out of their last 26 matches, including the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament.
“Honestly, no one handed this to them,” Close commented about the Blue Devils. “I don’t see every practice, but the staff deserves credit. Overcoming a rocky start to build belief, skill, and efficiency is no easy task.”
“It’s a tall order for young players, and I respect their resilience. Jon Gordon does great work with our team; he talks about mental highs and lows. Many miss out on a high state of mind since they jump ship when they’re struggling.”
“I really applaud their commitment to staying the course.”
One worrisome factor for the Blue Devils is the return of sisters Lauren and Sienna Betts for this rematch, who were absent during the first game due to injuries.
“It’s a totally different UCLA team,” Duke coach Carla Lawson pointed out. “They dominated us without both of them. It wasn’t close at all. We have to keep in mind the level we need to play at, focusing intensely on our game plan against one of the top teams in the nation.”
