Summaries & stats are below...1st Half Pix are here. Alison Bales   MIN PTS FG 3FG FT A O-D-REB BLK STL TO PF 1st 17 4 2-7 0-0 0-0 0 1-1-2 2 1 0 0 TOT 31 4 2-9 0-0 0-1 1 2-4-6 2 1 0 1   As noted earlier, Coach G felt that Temple got into Ali's head and had to sit her during the second half. Ali didn't get a chance to set up in the high post for shots and passes like she would have preferred, nor did she get the ball in good position down low. The problem was that she got the ball and just hesitated, instead of passing the ball out and trying to repost. Ali usually can get some work done against shorter opponents, but Comfort made a point of keeping an elbow on Ali's back or in her ribs at all times. She didn't let Ali have the room to set up for a turnaround jumper or any of her finesse moves. Ali was going to have to beat her with pure power, and that's just not her game. Comfort won the matchup because she made Ali play her game, and Bales will have to make future opponents play the kind of game that she wants. Carrem Gay   MIN PTS FG 3FG FT A O-D-REB BLK STL TO PF 1st 14 8 3-4 0-0 2-2 0 4-2-6 0 1 3 1 TOT 31 13 5-7 0-0 3-4 1 5-5-10 0 1 4 2   Gail noted that since Carrem hurt her shoulder in the second Maryland game, she hasn't been the same in terms of her aggressivenes. At this point, while the shoulder is sore and will need postseason attention, there's no reason for her to play tentatively. Coach G said that she sat down with Carrem and told her that they need more from her in the postseason in order to help Ali, whom Gail thought would start to see double-teams and rough play. Carrem certainly responded, scoring Duke's first 4 points, getting 2 stickbacks, hitting a couple of jumpers (including one that broke up a Temple run) and passing to Smith for a three. More importantly, she dominated the boards, picking up 5 offensive rebounds and outworking her opponents. While she may not be called upon to take as many shots as this later in the tournament, Duke would greatly benefit if she can keep up her rebounding. When the Devils get stagnant on offense, it's often the case that the team goes one-and-done; an alert offensive rebounder like Carrem can give Duke many more chances. Wanisha Smith   MIN PTS FG 3FG FT A O-D-REB BLK STL TO PF 1st 17 5 2-4 1-2 0-0 3 0-1-1 0 2 2 0 TOT 31 15 4-11 2-3 5-7 3 4-3-7 0 4 5 1   Nish was Duke's secret weapon in this game, as she has been for much of the season. With Waner on the bench and Bales ineffective, Nish took open jumpers and attacked the basket. That allowed her to make a living at the line, but it was her 2 clutch threes that were the shots of the game for Duke. Smith played aggressive defense (though she did have some trouble with Hairson), picking up a number of steals and attacking the boards. More than just the numbers, Smith played with an energy that I haven't seen from her recently, carrying the team emotionally at times. It was her offensive rebound that gave Duke another possession late in the game, starting a 9-0 that put the game away. It was great to see Nish step up on offense, especially since she's been in single digits the past 5 games. If Duke is going to win the national title, they will need contributions from everyone. Abby Waner   MIN PTS FG 3FG FT A O-D-REB BLK STL TO PF 1st 11 5 2-3 1-1 0-0 1 0-0-0 1 1 0 2 TOT 20 8 3-5 1-1 1-2 2 1-1-2 1 2 0 4   Abby's foul trouble never allowed her to get going, though she did play well when she was in the game. She nailed a three, finished a give-and-go and scored on a runout. She also had assists to Gay (breaking the press) and Harding (getter her going early in the game). Despite her difficulties, her sterling recent play continues, as Abby is playing with great energy and passion. Lindsey Harding   MIN PTS FG 3FG FT A O-D-REB BLK STL TO PF 1st 19 13 6-10 0-1 1-1 3 2-0-2 0 0 2 0 TOT 39 18 8-16 1-2 1-1 4 2-1-3 0 2 6 0   Lindsey's mindset was to attack in this game. That started with a spectacular reverse for a three point play. Seeing that ball go in made her hunt her shot, and the Owls were allowing her to do it. She sank jumpers from 12', 10', 12' and 15' in the first half and also finished in transition. Lindsey also had assists to Waner and Cheek, and dominated Lakeisha Eaddy on defense. In the second half, she was just 2-6 from the floor--though one of those shots was a late three that put the game away. Her rushing things resulted in 4 turnovers; for a player who is usually so patient, it was clear that Temple's pressure really affected her. Still, it was good to see Lindsey hit shots after her slump; I expect Rutgers to give her similar opportunities. Joy Cheek   MIN PTS FG 3FG FT A O-D-REB BLK STL TO PF 1st 8 2 1-2 0-0 0-0 2 0-2-2 0 0 0 0 TOT 22 4 2-5 0-1 0-0 2 0-3-3 0 0 0 2   Yet another strong game from Joy, who demonstrated her versatility. On offense, she scored off the dribble and hit an open jumper (even attempting a three). She had assists to Smith for a three at the end of the first half and inside to Bales. Defensively, she not only slowed down Comfort inside (not giving up an inch to the huge player), she also hedged to stop penetration. Brittany Mitch   MIN PTS FG 3FG FT A O-D-REB BLK STL TO PF 1st 4 0 0-1 0-1 0-0 0 0-0-0 0 0 0 0 TOT 13 0 0-2 0-2 0-0 0 0-1-1 0 0 2 1   Brit got some minutes in the first half, taking just 1 shot. In the second half, it was her defense that proved to be crucial in setting up Duke's game-clinching run. Her size bothered Hairston and Maddox, keeping a hand in their faces and forcing tough shots. She tipped a pass to Smith for a basket and alertly helped Smith get a rebound. On the downside, she passed up a few shots that led to turnovers, and threw a pass to Waner that bounced off her foot. Still, she responded on defense when the team needed her most. If the ball can just go through the hoop a few times for her, her confidence will greatly increase. Bridgette Mitchell   MIN PTS FG 3FG FT A O-D-REB BLK STL TO PF 1st 4 0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0-0-0 0 0 0 0 TOT 7 0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0-0-0 0 0 0 0   Bridgette didn't scratch in this game, but her size and quickness worked well with the lineups that Coach G used. I expect her to get some minutes against Rutgers. Emily Waner   MIN PTS FG 3FG FT A O-D-REB BLK STL TO PF 1st 6 0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0-1-1 0 0 0 0 TOT 6 0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0-1-1 0 0 0 0   Em just got spot minutes in this game; I think Gail was concerned about her guarding Temple's quick perimeter players. The Owls knew of her threat as a shooter and never let her have an open look, so Coach G opted to go with Mitch instead. Keturah Jackson   MIN PTS FG 3FG FT A O-D-REB BLK STL TO PF TOT DNP Temple   PTS FG 3FG FT A O-D-REB BLK STL TO PF 1st 26 13-29 0-4 0-0 5 8-7-15 1 3 10 5 TOT 52 22-56 0-6 8-9 6 13-21-34 2 10 19 13 Duke   PTS FG 3FG FT A O-D-REB BLK STL TO PF 1st 37 16-31 2-5 3-3 9 8-8-16 3 5 7 3 TOT 62 24-55 4-9 10-15 13 15-22-37 3 10 17 11 Photos are still in progress...thank you in advance for your patience. Copyright © 2007 DWHOOPS.COM (Orin A. Day, Durham, NC, USA.) All Rights Reserved.