How Duke Women’s Basketball Used Relentless 2nd-Half Rally to Win ACC Championship
The 2025 ACC Women’s Basketball Championship final was a game for the ages, and the Duke Blue Devils emerged victorious in dramatic fashion. After trailing by 10 points at halftime, Duke mounted a relentless second-half rally to dethrone the defending champions, the NC State Wolfpack, 72-58. It was a triumph marked by grit, determination, and key individual performances, but also by the collective resolve of a team that refused to back down. With the win, Duke captured its first ACC Women’s Basketball Championship since 2014 and cemented its status as one of the premier programs in the country.
The win was not just a testament to the talent of the Blue Devils but also to the leadership and coaching of second-year head coach Kara Lawson. Known for her basketball IQ and ability to get the most out of her players, Lawson led her team to a historic victory by trusting in the process, making key adjustments, and keeping the team focused when the chips were down. The final score of 72-58 highlighted the resilience and depth of Duke’s roster, a team filled with young stars and experienced upperclassmen, each stepping up at the right time.
This article will break down how Duke turned the game around in the second half, highlighting key moments, standout performances, and the strategies that propelled them to the title. From the halftime locker room talk to the explosive performances by Celeste Taylor and Jessika Johnson, every part of Duke’s comeback tells the story of a program that has returned to its championship pedigree.
The First Half: NC State’s Early Domination
The championship game began with a sense of urgency for both teams, each knowing that the ACC title was on the line. NC State, the No. 2 seed, had entered the tournament as the defending champions and were looking to repeat their success. Their roster, led by the dynamic and experienced Jakia Brown-Turner, had the scoring power and defensive depth to make them one of the most dangerous teams in the nation. Brown-Turner was especially potent, her versatile scoring ability making her a constant threat in every phase of the game. Alongside her, players like Elissa Cunane, the 6’5″ center, anchored the paint, while Kayla Jones and Raina Perez provided key scoring and playmaking.
From the opening tip, NC State played with the aggressiveness and poise that had been their trademark all season. The Wolfpack’s defense was stifling, closing out on shooters and contesting every shot Duke attempted. Early on, Brown-Turner showed why she had earned All-ACC honors, driving to the basket with ease and knocking down mid-range jumpers to give NC State a commanding 10-point lead. The Blue Devils, in contrast, struggled to get going offensively. Celeste Taylor, Duke’s leading scorer and team leader, had difficulty shaking NC State’s defense, while Duke’s shooters couldn’t find their rhythm from the outside. The Wolfpack’s physicality and strong inside presence gave them an advantage on the glass, where they dominated the boards early.
As the first half wore on, it seemed as though NC State might run away with the game. The Wolfpack’s defense was suffocating, forcing Duke into tough shots and limiting their opportunities for fast-break points. Duke’s offense was also stifled by NC State’s size and defensive rotations, and the Blue Devils’ lead seemed insurmountable. Heading into halftime, NC State held a 40-30 lead, with Brown-Turner already scoring 14 points and Cunane adding 8 points and 6 rebounds.
At halftime, Coach Kara Lawson gathered her team in the locker room. The message was clear: the game was far from over. Lawson emphasized the importance of playing more disciplined defense and utilizing Duke’s speed and versatility to create scoring opportunities. She told her players to trust their abilities, remain confident, and not to be discouraged by the deficit. But the real turning point was the players’ resolve—led by Taylor and a hungry group of underclassmen—who were determined to make sure that this championship game wouldn’t slip away.
The Second Half: A Relentless Rally
The second half started with a renewed sense of energy for Duke. Lawson had made the necessary adjustments during the break, focusing on tightening the defense and pushing the tempo on offense. The Blue Devils came out with more intensity, looking to attack the rim and play with a sense of urgency.
A key tactical change for Duke was to ramp up their full-court pressure, forcing NC State into mistakes and creating easy scoring opportunities. Early in the second half, Duke’s defense forced back-to-back turnovers, and that’s when the Blue Devils really started to get going. They were able to capitalize on those turnovers by pushing the ball up the court and getting quick layups and fast-break points.
Duke’s leading scorer, Celeste Taylor, who had been relatively quiet in the first half, came alive in the second half. Taylor’s ability to break down the NC State defense and create her own shot was a catalyst for the Blue Devils’ offensive explosion. Taylor scored 12 of her 18 points in the third quarter alone, including a crucial 3-pointer that cut the NC State lead to just 3 points. Taylor’s perimeter shooting also spread the floor, making it more difficult for NC State to collapse the defense on Duke’s inside players.
Another key factor in Duke’s rally was the performance of freshman forward Jessika Johnson. Johnson had been a key part of Duke’s success throughout the tournament, and she proved to be invaluable in the second half. Her size, strength, and presence in the paint allowed Duke to finally assert dominance in the rebounding battle. With NC State’s defense stretched thin from guarding Taylor and Duke’s outside shooters, Johnson found herself with more room to operate in the post, and she took full advantage, scoring 9 points and grabbing 5 rebounds in the second half alone.
But it wasn’t just the offense that led Duke’s charge. The Blue Devils’ defense also made a critical impact. Taylor and her teammates applied constant pressure on NC State’s ball handlers, forcing contested shots and limiting second-chance opportunities. As NC State’s shots began to miss, Duke capitalized on the rebounds, starting fast breaks that gave them easy points. This relentless pace wore down NC State, and by the time the fourth quarter began, Duke had erased the 10-point halftime deficit and had taken a 55-53 lead.
The turning point came with just over 5 minutes left in the game when Duke pulled ahead by 7 points, largely due to a combination of Taylor’s scoring and Johnson’s continued dominance in the paint. Duke’s defense also stepped up, forcing NC State into contested shots and securing crucial rebounds to extend possessions. As the clock wound down, the Wolfpack seemed increasingly frustrated and unable to find an answer to Duke’s full-court press.
Taylor’s key 3-pointer with 2 minutes left, which extended Duke’s lead to 7 points, effectively sealed the game. At that moment, the Duke faithful in Greensboro erupted, knowing that the championship was within their grasp.
Standout Performances: Celeste Taylor and Jessika Johnson
While the victory was a team effort, two players were instrumental in Duke’s second-half surge: Celeste Taylor and Jessika Johnson. Both players delivered under pressure and helped to turn the tide in the Blue Devils’ favor.
Celeste Taylor: Taylor’s 18-point performance was vital to Duke’s victory. She played with poise and confidence, especially in the second half when her team needed her most. Taylor was not only a scoring threat but also played a key role in facilitating the offense with 5 assists. Her defensive intensity also played a huge part in slowing down NC State’s top players. The senior guard’s ability to create her own shot, both off the dribble and from beyond the arc, was crucial in stretching NC State’s defense and making them uncomfortable. Taylor was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) for her leadership and clutch play throughout the tournament, and her performance in the championship game was a fitting cap to a spectacular tournament run.
Jessika Johnson: Jessika Johnson, a freshman forward, was the breakout star of the game. Her 16 points and 12 rebounds, combined with her physicality in the paint, made her a constant problem for NC State. Johnson’s 9-point and 5-rebound performance in the second half was key to Duke’s ability to establish a more balanced offensive attack, as her interior scoring took pressure off Taylor and allowed Duke to dominate the boards. Johnson’s emergence as a reliable inside presence was one of the key reasons for Duke’s success in the tournament, and her performance in the final only confirmed that she is a star in the making for the Blue Devils.
Coach Kara Lawson’s Impact
Kara Lawson’s leadership was another critical factor in Duke’s triumph. The second-year head coach, who took over the program in 2023, had already shown her tactical acumen and ability to develop talent. But in the ACC Championship game, Lawson’s ability to make adjustments at halftime was on full display. Her decision to increase full-court pressure and emphasize ball movement on offense helped Duke find its rhythm after a slow start. Lawson’s calm demeanor in the locker room, along with her belief in her team’s ability to execute the game plan, proved to be the difference.
Duke’s composure throughout the game—especially in the face of adversity—was a direct reflection of Lawson’s leadership. Her ability to get the most out of her players and instill confidence in them was a major factor in Duke’s ability to execute in the clutch. This victory solidified Lawson’s reputation as one of the top young coaches in women’s basketball.
What the Victory Means for Duke
Duke’s 72-58 win over NC State in the 2025 ACC Women’s Basketball Championship was not just a triumph for the players and coaches—it was a statement for the program as a whole. For a team that had experienced a few years of transition, this championship victory marks the return of Duke to the top of the ACC and a reminder of the program’s proud history.
The win also signals the rise of a new generation of Blue Devils. With the emergence of stars like Celeste Taylor and Jessika Johnson, Duke’s future looks incredibly bright. The team’s balance, both offensively and defensively, combined with their resilience and ability to adjust under pressure, makes them one of the most dangerous teams in women’s college basketball heading into the NCAA Tournament.
For Duke, the 2025 ACC Championship is just the beginning. With a core of talented players and an experienced coaching staff, the Blue Devils are poised to continue their climb toward national prominence, and the future of the program looks incredibly promising.