DURHAM, N.C. — The Duke Blue Devils women’s basketball opened the NCAA Tournament in convincing fashion, defeating the College of Charleston Cougars women’s basketball 81-64 in the first round of NCAA Women’s Tournament at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Toby Fournier led the charge with 24 points on efficient shooting, dominating inside on both ends of the floor. Jordan Wood provided a perfect touch from beyond the arc, scoring 17 points while hitting all five of her three-point attempts, and Delaney Thomas added 19 points and nine rebounds to round out a balanced offensive effort.
The victory continues a remarkable turnaround for Duke, which has gone 22-2 since a slow start to the season and recently captured its second straight ACC Tournament title.
Despite the comfortable win, head coach Kara Lawson made it clear there is still work to do. Duke committed 20 turnovers, which led to 22 points for Charleston, and also allowed second-chance opportunities and frequent trips to the free-throw line.
Fournier set the tone early, using her size and athleticism to exploit mismatches in the paint. Her impact stretched beyond scoring, as she anchored the defense and sparked transition opportunities with key stops.
Charleston, making its first appearance in the women’s NCAA Tournament, struggled to find offensive consistency, shooting just 26 percent from the field. Still, Taryn Barbot delivered a standout performance with 36 points—the most scored against Duke this season—while her sister Taylor Barbot added 13. Tyja Beans contributed 11 points in the effort.
Though outmatched, Charleston remained competitive throughout, earning praise for its resilience and effort against a higher-seeded opponent.
Looking ahead, Duke’s potential remains high, especially after last season’s Elite Eight run. However, Lawson emphasized that continued improvement—particularly in limiting mistakes—will determine how far her team can go this year.
Next up, Duke faces a tough challenge against Baylor Bears women’s basketball in the second round, a rematch of their season opener.
