Brigette Ardossi came back from a bloodied nose to lead Georgia Tech to a comeback win over Wake Forest

The most competitive ACC Women's Basketball Tournament in recent memory continued with four exciting quarterfinal matchups Friday in Greensboro, with two higher seeds severely challenged and two more sent packing. Many of the ACC's elder statesmen head coaches have been sent home, with Georgia Tech's MaChelle Joseph the only semifinals head coach with more than three years in that role. For the first time in history no ACC Semifinalist will be led by either Sylvia Hatchell, Debbie Ryan, or Kay Yow. Friday's games were electric affairs with great crowds for the morning and evening sessions, and similar attendance is expected for Saturday's semi-finals.

#4 Georgia Tech 52, #5 Wake Forest 45

Fourth seeded Georgia Tech overcame a horrendous three field goal first half to defeat Wake Forest 52-45 in Friday's morning game. The Deacs led 25-9 with 4:13 left in the opening stanza only to be outscored 41-20 the rest of the way. Brigitte Ardossi was a rock for Georgia Tech, scoring ten in the disastrous first half, then returning from a bloody nose (possible broken nose) to score baskets that tied the game and put Tech ahead for the first time since it was 4-2. Ardossi finished with 23 points in just 26 minutes, and was 11-13 from the line when the Jackets most desperately needed offensive production. Tech's tough second half defense forced 12 Wake turnovers as the Deacs had serious trouble getting the looks they needed. Sandra Garcia, a force in yesterday's win over Miami, was largely neutralized inside by Adrossi and Sasha Goodlett, and Wake's outside shooters couldn't pick up the slack. Because of their low RPI rating, Wake will probably head to the WNIT at best, while Tech survives and advances to face the winner of Duke / Maryland in Saturday's first ACC semifinal.

#1 Duke 66, #9 Maryland 64

Diandra Tchatchouang blocks a Karima Christmas shot during Maryland's second half comeback.

The top seeded Duke Blue Devils also overcame a sluggish start to defeat the ninth seeded Terrapins 66-64 in an afternoon thriller. On the strength of outside shooting from Lori Bjork and Jackie Nared the Terps took an 11 point lead on several occasions. A jumper from Anjale Barrett gave Maryland a 24-13 advantage with 10:14 left until halftime, but back-to-back hoops from Jasmine Thomas got Duke's motor started. Duke steals led to easy transition layups, an 11-1 Blue Devil run, and a 37-32 Duke halftime lead. Thomas was on fire from behind the arc, 5-7 for the game and 2-2 in the second half, but Duke could never stretch the lead to double digits in the second half. Maryland found hoops inside from Lynetta Kizer (16 points) when they needed them, and quality outside production from Bjork (14 points) and Jackie Nared off the bench (10 points). Anjale Barrett came of the bench to provide 15 points, many on driving layups. The last six minutes of the game were incredibly tense for both sides. Maryland's last field goal came at the 7:03 mark, but they drew even and eventually took a 63-62 lead from the line with 2:29 to play. Duke reclaimed the lead on a pair of Bridgette Mitchell free throws, then extended the advantage to three with a layup from Joy Cheek. Maryland failed to score and their bench was slapped with a technical, but Jasmine Thomas bricked both free throws. Duke ran the shot clock down and missed a jumper, then fouled Dara Taylor, who made the second of two freebies. With the score 66-64 Duke ran the clock again, with Joy Cheek missing a jumper with 7 seconds left. A half court heave from Nared was just off the mark, and Duke survived.

#7 Boston College 67, #2 Florida State 60

Stefanie Murphy (center) celebrates the Eagles' upset.

Second seed Florida State was unable to overcome the loss of center Jacinta Monroe to a sprained ankle, falling to seventh seed Boston College 67-60. BC's twin towers Stefanie Murphy and Carolyn Swords each scored in double figures despite foul trouble throughout. Courtney Ward shot a disastrous 3-20 including 2-17 from behing the arc, though two of her three hoops helped the Noles to a 28-24 halftime advantage. After an unlikely three from Murphy FSU ran off eight straight points for a nine point lead, pounding the ball inside to Cierra Bravard (13 points) and Chastity Clayton (13 points & 10 boards). That's when the unlikely pair of Jasmine Gill and Ayla Brown caught fire for BC, combining for 20 points in the last 14 minutes. The Eagles ran off 11 straight capped by a three from point guard Jaclyn Thomas to take a 40-39 lead. A three point play from Cierra Bravard with 6:04 left knotted it at 46, but BC ran out to a seven point lead with back-to-back layups from Gill and a three point play from Swords. Despite the loss of Murphy to fouls that working margin was enough for a wild Eagle celebration at midcourt. FSU's seed will take a small hit, but according to Head Coach Sue Semrau, "[Monroe] will be with use when we start the tournament. We are absolutely certain of that." Second year BC Head Coach Sylvia Crawley leads the Eagles into the second semifinal Saturday, hoping to secure an NCAA berth.

Marissa Kastanek turns the corner as Lucy Ellsion (24) screens out Virginia's Lexie Gerson

#6 NC State 66, #3 Virginia 59,

The ACC's new guard of head coaches got another victory in Friday's last quarterfinal as Kellie Harper led the NC State Wolfpack to a 66-59 win over Virginia. The Pack was on fire from outside, shooting a remarkable 9-20 (45%) from three, including a perfect 4-4 from ACC Freshman of the Year Marissa Kastanek. Brittany Strachan and Sharnise Beal came off the State bench to each go 2-2 from downtown. ACC Player of the Year Monica Wright was hampered by first half foul trouble, scoring 10 points in 10 minutes of the first stanza. Wright tried to carry the Hoos on her back in the second half with 22 points, but with the Pack outrebounding Virginia 47-37 it just wasn't enough. "I felt we didn't get it from all the players that needed to step up and give us a little more," said Virginia Head Coach Debbie Ryan. "But all the credit goes to NC State, they played fabulous today." The closest UVa got was down 53-50 with 4:51 left, and perfect trips to the line from Kastanek and Strachan sealed the deal for the Pack. Virginia heads back to Charlottesville disappointed, hoping to find a second scoring option before the NCAA tournament begins in two weeks.