The Nutshell
A defensive wrinkle by Coach G in the last eight minutes of the game
proved to be the winning ingredient in a hard-fought win over UNC. While
in some respects it was just another regular-season win, in other respects
this Senior Day victory was a milestone. It ensured Duke's first-ever
perfect regular season and first undefeated record at home. It gave the
Devils another win and momentum heading into next week's ACC Tournament.
It all but sews up Duke getting seeded in Raleigh and then Greensboro.
It rewarded the students who tented and helped sell Cameron out for just
the sixth time, but for the second time this year. Lastly, it sent
seniors Lindsey Harding & Alison Bales out in style as both were
brilliant.
Duke was in control most of the game, though the Heels did pull ahead on
four separate occasions. Their last lead came with 7:45 remaining in the
game. At that point, Coach G went zone; and that confused the Heels for
several possessions, blunting their momentum. The last minutes of the
game consisted of Duke missing free throws to keep UNC alive and the Heels
missing close-in shots thanks to Bales' stalwart defense. In the end, the
game came down to rebounding, and Duke's +6 advantage (including an
incredible 18 offensive rebounds) on the boards along with a +5 on
turnovers proved that while the Devils didn't look pretty on offense,
their effort at both ends overcame UNC's physical and disruptive play.
Harding & Bales started off the game on hot streaks, scoring 18 of the
team's first 20 points. Bales wound up with 16 points and 12 rebounds in
an awesome battle with UNC's Erlana Larkins, who wound up with 19 & 18.
Harding finished with 15 points and 8 rebounds, Abby Waner had 13 points &
6 steals, and frosh Joy Cheek deserves special mention with a career-high
14 rebounds.
Duke will try to capture their sixth ACC tournament title, starting on
Friday at 3:00PM against the winner of the Virginia-Clemson game.
We'll be there!!!
Editor's Note: Everything is posted.
Since we don't have second half photos (memory cards appear to be gone
forever), here is
a gallery from a friend with some second half shots.
--Orin
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