Duke coach Kara Lawson drew up a play so Ashlon Jackson could get off a potential game-winning 3. But it fell short, ending their March Madness.

Duke was led by 18 points and six rebounds from Toby Fournier, Ashlon Jackson adding 13 points with six assists. Chloe Kitts led South Carolina with 14 points and four rebounds, Sania Feagin adding 12 points and Te-Hina Paopao 9. The Blue Devils finished the day shooting 31.7% (19-of-60) from the field, South Carolina shooting 43.2% (19-of-44).

But despite an admirable effort, Duke wasn’t able to get the job done against the reigning national champions, falling 54-50 in a thrilling matchup.

The top-seeded Gamecocks are two wins away from becoming the first team to repeat as champions since UConn won four straight from 2013-16. South Carolina will play the winner of the Texas-TCU game that takes place Monday night.

The Gamecocks celebrate after being Duke to advance to the Final Four game of the NCAA Tournament at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham on Sunday, March 30, 2025 in the Birmingham 2 regional of the NCAA Tournament.

Defending national champion South Carolina beats Duke 54-50 to return to Final Four of women's NCAA Tournament.

Chloe Kitts doinked two straight free-throw attempts off the basket late in the third quarter of South Carolina's Elite Eight game against Duke. Then she sank a pair of clutch ones when it mattered most.

South Carolina advanced to its fifth consecutive Final Four with a victory over Duke on Sunday, but it wasn't easy for the defending national champions in a 54-50 win. The Blue Devils dominated the third quarter and took a 38-32 lead with 2:27 remaining in the frame before the Gamecocks composed themselves and took control.

The Duke Blue Devils battle the defending national champion University of South Carolina Gamecocks in the Elite 8 of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament in Birmingham. South Carolina leads 26-22 at the half after a strong run by Duke late in the second quarter.