Completed Event: Women's Basketball versus #2 UCLA on March 29, 2026 , Loss , 58, to, 70
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Final
Women's Basketball
58
vs #2 UCLA
70
Photo by: Duke Athletics
Duke Hosts Open Practice; ACC Network to Debut All-ACC Special
8/5/2026 12:46:00 PM | Women's Basketball
DURHAM, N.C. – The Duke women's basketball hosted an open practice to over 1,000 fans Tuesday evening inside Cameron Indoor Stadium.
The Blue Devils ran through dribbling and shooting drills, a half-court sets and got in a few full-court runs. Freshman Taylor Solfikanich capped the 75-minute session by hitting a half-court shot to the thrill of the fans in attendance.
In between the practice portions, Duke fans were able to take part in on-court competitions for prizes. The Blue Devils hosted a short question and answer session with the newcomers following the practice.
In addition to the practice, head coach Kara Lawson met with local media to talk Duke women's basketball as well as her preparation for the FIBA World Cup with USA Basketball in September. She also talked about the opportunity to return to the broadcast booth for Amazon Prime during the WNBA season.
Lawson on the goals of summer practice
"It's been about getting reps together, building on-court chemistry and teaching our system. You get a little spoiled when you've had [Taina Mair] and [Ashlon Jackson] in your starting backcourt for the last three years. They know what you're doing and what you need. Now we're back to teaching again. It's just the circle of life in that way."
Lawson on hosting an open practice for fans
"We looked at the schedule, and I think it was a little less than a year ago that we decided it was more about creating opportunities for people to come and giving them a chance to see us play. It's awesome when it can be free. I know times are tough. Food is expensive. Gas is expensive. Entertainment is expensive. I get it. For us, it was, 'Hey, let's provide a free opportunity for anyone who wants to come.' It doesn't matter if you're a season ticket holder. It doesn't matter if you're a Duke fan. If you just want to come watch some basketball on a summer night, come. That was the genesis of it. We just wanted to open it up and let people come see us."
Lawson on the growth of women's basketball in the Triangle
"We can all feel how fast this sport is growing. I know the Triangle has so many women's basketball fans. They came to multiple games last year, and I told them, 'If you want to come to games, just let us know. We'll do our best to find you good seats and get you here to watch some of the top matchups.' When you look at our schedule, we play a lot of great games at home. If you're a women's basketball fan and you haven't come to a college basketball game before, we want to be at least one of your first calls, if not your first call."
Lawson on broadcasting WNBA games with Amazon Prime
"Working with Amazon's been awesome. I've seen almost everybody that's in our pool, and so it's just been good to catch up with them. I don't see them every day like I see my players, and connection matters whatever level you're on. A relationship with the players is the most important thing. You want to be able to get the most out of them, so that's why I did it. To use the fact that I had the skill to be able to go out and do that."
Additionally, ACC Network will debut its All ACC Special: Duke ACC Champions Wednesday evening at 8 p.m. Wes Durham caught up with Lawson, Manny Diaz and Jon Scheyer this past spring to talk about the historic year of all three programs bringing home the ACC Championship.
The Blue Devils ran through dribbling and shooting drills, a half-court sets and got in a few full-court runs. Freshman Taylor Solfikanich capped the 75-minute session by hitting a half-court shot to the thrill of the fans in attendance.
In between the practice portions, Duke fans were able to take part in on-court competitions for prizes. The Blue Devils hosted a short question and answer session with the newcomers following the practice.
In addition to the practice, head coach Kara Lawson met with local media to talk Duke women's basketball as well as her preparation for the FIBA World Cup with USA Basketball in September. She also talked about the opportunity to return to the broadcast booth for Amazon Prime during the WNBA season.
Lawson on the goals of summer practice
"It's been about getting reps together, building on-court chemistry and teaching our system. You get a little spoiled when you've had [Taina Mair] and [Ashlon Jackson] in your starting backcourt for the last three years. They know what you're doing and what you need. Now we're back to teaching again. It's just the circle of life in that way."
Lawson on hosting an open practice for fans
"We looked at the schedule, and I think it was a little less than a year ago that we decided it was more about creating opportunities for people to come and giving them a chance to see us play. It's awesome when it can be free. I know times are tough. Food is expensive. Gas is expensive. Entertainment is expensive. I get it. For us, it was, 'Hey, let's provide a free opportunity for anyone who wants to come.' It doesn't matter if you're a season ticket holder. It doesn't matter if you're a Duke fan. If you just want to come watch some basketball on a summer night, come. That was the genesis of it. We just wanted to open it up and let people come see us."
Lawson on the growth of women's basketball in the Triangle
"We can all feel how fast this sport is growing. I know the Triangle has so many women's basketball fans. They came to multiple games last year, and I told them, 'If you want to come to games, just let us know. We'll do our best to find you good seats and get you here to watch some of the top matchups.' When you look at our schedule, we play a lot of great games at home. If you're a women's basketball fan and you haven't come to a college basketball game before, we want to be at least one of your first calls, if not your first call."
Lawson on broadcasting WNBA games with Amazon Prime
"Working with Amazon's been awesome. I've seen almost everybody that's in our pool, and so it's just been good to catch up with them. I don't see them every day like I see my players, and connection matters whatever level you're on. A relationship with the players is the most important thing. You want to be able to get the most out of them, so that's why I did it. To use the fact that I had the skill to be able to go out and do that."
Additionally, ACC Network will debut its All ACC Special: Duke ACC Champions Wednesday evening at 8 p.m. Wes Durham caught up with Lawson, Manny Diaz and Jon Scheyer this past spring to talk about the historic year of all three programs bringing home the ACC Championship.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's BasketballTuesday, March 31
Tuesday, March 31
Tuesday, March 31
Tuesday, March 31
