The 1st Half
Above all else, Duke was looking to work on its intensity after the
uninspired win over Virginia Tech. Virginia is a team that has had its
problems this year, but there are several legitimate star-power type
players on its roster. Playing at home and with a sense of urgency, this
would not be an easy matchup. While they have serious weaknesses (size,
long-range shooting, depth), overall this group has much more individual
talent than VPI.
The overall results in this win were mixed. Duke was in control the
whole time and didn't let the lead dip below 7 points during the last 35
minutes or so. The offense went through droughts but the defense would
jump-start sevearl mini-runs that short-circuited every comeback attempt
by Virginia. Duke played through foul trouble and got quite a bit of help
from its bench, which is encouraging. Still, every time it seemed like
Duke was ready to put the Hoos away, a couple of turnovers and defensive
lapses (along with some truly inspired play by undersized post Lyndra
Littles) would allow Virginia to creep back into contention. In the first
half, Duke scored to make the lead double digits 4 different times. The
biggest run UVa could put together was 7-0, but that only brought them
within 8 points. Duke never deviated from its game plan on offense and
used Alison Bales' size & Lindsey Harding's speed to its repeated
advantage.
Still, when the game tapes are reviewed, there will be a number of
nagging errors that Coach G will zero in on. Fouls are at the top of the
list. The early fouls in the second half put Virginia on the line early
and aided their comeback efforts; it was no coincidence that Duke took
control down the stretch because they moved their feet better. While the
bench certainly had its positive moments, it wasn't an accident that
Virginia made a late second-half run when Harding & Bales were on the
bench. The team played intense defense, jumping after loose balls and
contesting every shot, but there were times that Duke gambled too much.
Duke tried to push the ball when they could, but a lack of communication
resulted in several unforced turnovers. Of course, the fact that no one
could handle Littles' combo of speed and power is another concern. The
happy news is that once again, all of these lessons will come without the
team suffering a loss.
Frosh sensation Monica Wright scored 4 quick points for Virginia in the
opening minutes, then shot just 3-10 the rest of the way. Bales had 2
early free throws and Abby Waner completed a difficult reverse layup to
tie the score. However, Carrem Gay picked up 2 fouls just two minutes
into the game and went to the bench. This was disappointing, since she was
looking to bounce back from a mediocre showing against Virginia Tech.
Joy Cheek came in off the bench and immediately scored with her left hand.
Littles tied it up, but A.Waner blew by guard Brenna McGuire and wound up
with a three point play. Virginia had a couple of cracks at the basket
but missed, and Harding took advantage by sticking back one of her own
misses. UVa's Siedah Williams missed (she was just 3-8) and Harding found
Cheek for a 15' jumper. Duke forced a 30-second violation and Lindsey hit
Wanisha Smith for a three as the shot clock was winding down. That
completed a 10-0 run that made it 16-6, and allowed Duke to hold UVa at
arm's length for the entire game.
The Hoos cut it to 8 a couple of times, but Harding hit 2 freebies and
Cheek powered through with an up and under. After UVa's 5th turnover of
the half, Emily Waner drove and passed to Bales for 19' jumper that made
the score 22-10. The two teams traded scores, with Wright hitting a three,
Cheek swishing a baseline jumper and Bales posting up for a three point
play to make it 27-15. UVa pulled to within 27-18 with under nine minutes
to go, but the seniors asserted themselves. Harding drove and hit a 10'
jumper and followed that up by finishing a nice pass from Bales in the
high post. Littles kept her team within hailing distance but a three from
Harding put Duke up by 12.
The Devils then went through a protracted offensive drought, scoring
just 1 basket (a Bridgette Mitchell stickback) over a three minute period.
Mitchell's energy saved Duke late in the half as she hit a free throw and
found Bales on a cut with a pretty pass. Littles got a three point play
over Bales to cut the lead to 9, but the Devils had the final possession.
Harding drove, hesitated and passed out to Waner. Abby took a dribble and
launched a shot just before time ran out, and it went in to give Duke an
all-important double-digit lead at the half.
Duke's 12-4 advantage in points off turnovers was their key to success in
the half. While they didn't necessarily get a ton of transition points,
they did get Virginia out of rhythm on offense and on their heels
defensively. Harding set the tone with 12 points, taking command of the
game during Duke's runs. Cheek proved to be a solid scoring presence with
8 points, while Mitchell gave Duke help on the boards and some key plays
down the stretch.
