NCAAW Sweet 16: Duke's Buzzer-Beater Stuns LSU, Notre Dame's Hidalgo Dominates

NCAAW Sweet 16 Delivers Unforgettable Drama on Opening Day

The intensity of March Madness for women's college basketball is in full swing, and the Sweet 16 certainly didn't disappoint in its opening matchups. As the 2026 Women's March Madness Sweet 16 began, fans witnessed instant classics, monumental upsets, and individual brilliance that will be talked about for years to come. From Texas to California, teams battled fiercely, setting the stage for an Elite Eight showdown.

While powerhouses like the UConn Huskies continue their quest for an unbeaten national championship, and the question looms whether we'll see a repeat of last year's Final Four contenders, the spotlight was firmly on the thrilling finishes of Friday's games. The initial day of Sweet 16 action provided incredible drama, particularly with Notre Dame's stunning upset and an epic buzzer-beater that sealed Duke's advancement. Let's dive into the keyWomen’s Sweet 16 takeawaysfrom the first round of regional play.

Duke’s Buzzer-Beater 3-Pointer Stuns LSU in Epic Finish

Without a doubt, the Duke-LSU showdown in Sacramento provided one of the most memorable moments of the entire tournament so far. In a game characterized by relentless physicality and back-and-forth scoring, Duke snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in a truly cinematic fashion, punching their ticket to the Elite Eight.

Down by two points and facing a suffocating 10-0 LSU run in the final moments, Duke found themselves with a mere 2.6 seconds left and the ball on their own side of the court after a timeout. Head coach Kara Lawson, with unwavering confidence, knew exactly who to trust: guard Ashlon Jackson. Despite LSU star Flau’jae Johnson’s tight defense, Jackson calmly set her feet and launched a contested 3-pointer. The ball seemed to hang in the air forever, circling the rim before dramatically dropping through the net as the buzzer sounded. This electrifying shot secured a dramatic win for Duke, simultaneously ending Johnson’s illustrious career with the Tigers.

Jackson finished the night with 19 points, complementing stellar performances from Taina Mair and star forward Toby Fournier, who each contributed 22 points in a contest featuring seven ties and nine lead changes. The sheer elation was palpable, with Lawson celebrating vigorously with the Duke cheering section. Jackson herself captured the surreal feeling, saying, “The way it went in, I felt like I was in a dream.” Duke now prepares for another challenging matchup against UCLA on Sunday, seeking to avenge a 30-point loss from earlier in the season.

Hannah Hidalgo's Triple-Double Powers Notre Dame to Upset Victory

For four consecutive years, the Sweet 16 had been an insurmountable barrier for Notre Dame. With a roster featuring only three returning players from the previous season and a significant influx of graduate transfers, expectations were tempered. Simply reaching Fort Worth felt like an achievement in itself for the sixth-seeded Fighting Irish.

However, with a talent like Hannah Hidalgo on the court, anything is possible. And with a hard-fought 67-64 victory over second-seeded Vanderbilt, the journey just got a whole lot sweeter.

Hidalgo immediately asserted her dominance, initiating the game with two steals in Vanderbilt’s first four possessions and maintaining relentless pressure throughout. The junior guard delivered an all-time performance, recording a stunning triple-double with 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 steals – just three assists shy of an unprecedented quadruple-double. Playing all but 41 seconds, Hidalgo was indispensable, orchestrating scoring opportunities for her teammates and compensating for the team’s uncharacteristically poor shooting from beyond the arc (1 of 17 on 3-pointers).

Her defensive prowess was equally critical. Leading the charge, Hidalgo and her teammates employed a rotating defensive scheme against Vanderbilt's leading scorer, sophomore Mikayla Blakes, holding her to her worst shooting percentage of the season (27 percent from the floor). While Blakes still managed 26 points, 12 of those came from the free-throw line, illustrating Notre Dame's defensive effectiveness. Cassandre Prosper, one of Notre Dame's key returners, also contributed significantly with 15 points and five rebounds, ensuring the Irish advance further than many anticipated.

What's Next for the Sweet 16?

As the Sweet 16 progresses to the Elite Eight, the intensity will only build. With monumental performances and heart-stopping finishes already behind us, the remaining games promise even more nail-biting action and potential upsets. Fans can look forward to seeing if these teams can maintain their momentum and make a run for the national championship.