Devils Outrun Racers, 78-57

Chante Black

This was a solid game for Chante, who went outside and dusted off her jumper. That particular adjustment made her impossible to deal with on offense, negating MSU's attempts to use the double team in the post. It was a very good adjustment, one that was easy to make considering that Joy Cheek was big enough to get rebounds over MSU's small lineup. Chante also scored on on a couple of post-ups, a fast break basket and a stickback. While she operated on the perimeter quite a bit, she still hauled in 7 rebounds and stayed out of foul trouble. This was a very good game for her overall, and it was especially fortunate that she didn't have to play big minutes.

Joy Cheek

Joy struggled from the field but did some impressive work on the boards, especially in the first half. Both of her field goals came as a result of hustle--one of them a stickback, another a fast break finish. She also got to the line and picked up several key fouls on MSU's bigs. In the second half, Joy moved the ball around well, generating easy scores for Smith and Black. All told, this was a fine floor game, taking advantage of her intelligence even when shots weren't falling.

Wanisha Smith

Nish was excellent in this game. She looked for her own shot and seemed to hit baskets at crucial junctures. That includes Duke's first score of the game (a 12' jumper), a three point play after MSU scored 5 in a row, an inbounds basket that blunted a run, and a late three that put the game on ice once and for all. Nish attacked the basket and pulled up for short shots, both of which are strengths for her. This was a mature, focused game for the senior.

Abby Waner

Abby hit her first three but misfired the rest of the way. That didn't stop her from playing great defense, pushing the ball hard and finding her teammates for easy baskets. That one three she did hit was a great response basket to MSU's first three of the game. Abby was hampered in the second half by foul trouble, but she had already done her damage, getting a steal that finished off a big Duke run and then finding J.Thomas for a three. Duke will need for her to be more productive from the field to beat better opponents.

Jasmine Thomas

Jasmine had one of her finest overall games at Duke, shooting well from the field (4-7), getting 9 rebounds, attacking the basket and converting, and finding her teammates. After airballing her first three, she drained her next two, sinking them with confidence. She found Smith, Waner and Black for baskets, among others. If she plays with this level of confidence, focus and energy during the rest of the tournament, Duke will have a great chance to advance.

Keturah Jackson

KJ had her usual hustling game, though she did open the game with an inexplicable turnover. She followed that up with strong defense, excellent boardwork and a couple of fast break finishes, along with getting to the foul line. Her perimeter defense was a key to frustrating Murray State from the three point line.

Carrem Gay

Carrem surprisingly only played for 12 minutes, but she was quite efficient. She had a stickback and a finish on a pass from a K.Thomas pass. She hit the boards and moved the ball around nicely, including finding Waner for a three. She also played fine perimeter defense, helping to limit MSU's looks.

Krystal Thomas

Krystal had a solid game, getting a first-half stickback and a hook shot in the second. She also had a nice dish to Gay for a layup to go along with her 4 rebounds.

Bridgette Mitchell

Bridgette saw some action for the first time in quite a while, getting a late stickback and 2 offensive rebounds overall in just six minutes.

Brittany Mitch

Brit hit two long jumpers from exactly the same spot (right elbow extended) and had an assist inside to K.Thomas.

Karima Christmas

Karima caught a spectacular pass from Waner and finished, but later banged her head on the court and had to go to the locker room. At this time, it's not been determined if she has a concussion.