After starting off with two big wins at home, Duke went to Chicago anticipating an all-Blue clash in the DePaul Invitational Final. But those plans were derailed by the feisty Hartford Hawks, who illustrated the difference between the top of the America East and the bottom (Maine). For the most part both offenses were inept, each shooting under 30% each half and combining for a dismal 1-14 from three point range in the first half. In the first half Duke had more turnovers (18) than points (17) - stats that looked like the thumping of Maine last Sunday in Cameron.

Still, what was more troubling than statistics was Duke's complete loss of composure against an unranked opponent, punctuated by Abby Waner's technical foul with 14:06 left in the game. While there is some history between Duke and members of this officiating crew, that's really no excuse, and Duke's frustration contributed directly to the outcome. There were 4 Duke fouls on that possession alone, helping Hartford more than halfway to the bonus. From that point the Hawks scored 14 of their last 25 points at the free throw line. Abby & Duke turned it on in the last five minutes, with Waner scoring all 9 of her points in that span. Hartford's three free throw misses in the last 14 seconds left the door open, but Chante Black's buzzer-beating layup fell off the rim, and Duke fell into tonight's consolation game vs. Southern.