Blue Devils move to ACC semifinals despite disastrous 3rd quarter against Clemson

Mar 6, 2026; Duluth, GA, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Kara Lawson talks to a player against the Clemson Tigers in the second quarter at Gas South Arena. | Brett Davis-Imagn ImagesIn their first game of the postseason, the Duke Blue Devils secured a 60-46 win over the Clemson Tigers to advance to the semifinals of the 2026 ACC Women's Basketball Tournament.

By halftime, head coach Kara Lawson's squad had already built a 19-point lead over the Tigers, but Duke struggled mightily during the third quarter, adding a minimal eight points (yes, 8) to its total.

Despite the disastrous performance coming out of halftime, the Blue Devils were able to hold onto a lead and defeat Clemson by 14 points…