MEMPHIS, Tenn.-- The sixth-ranked and second-seeded Duke women's basketball team had its 2009-10 campaign come to a close on Monday night as 14th-ranked and fourth-seeded Baylor defeated the Blue Devils 51-48 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
Duke was held to a season-low 23.1 percent shooting and matched a season-low with 48 points. The Blue Devils were led by Jasmine Thomas with 16 points and Karima Christmas with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Thomas, Christmas and senior Joy Cheek were all named to the Memphis Regional All-Tournament team.
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Head Coach Joanne P. McCallie
OPENING STATEMENT
It was a very interesting basketball game. It was a very hard fought, physical contest. I'm very proud of our team's efforts and the fight they showed out there. I think that there was a lot of fight and hustle on both sides with both teams. It was a possession basketball game. Everything about a possession basketball game is critical, and that's what it was: A very exciting, possession basketball game.
Did your team get nervous toward the end of the game?
I think our players were trying to attack. When Krystal Thomas was fouled out, that's the game. There's the story. That's it.
What did you think of Krystal Thomas's defense against (Brittney) Griner?
She was critically responsible for making (Brittney) Griner work so hard. What Krystal Thomas did was tremendous and outstanding. Obviously, Brittney Griner is just a young, developing, excellent player. She's very hard to defend. If you take our best 6-4 player (Krystal Thomas) out of the game for the last three minutes, it changes the game enormously. And they took advantage, and (Brittney) Griner scored right away.
We did the best we could with what we had. Our kids were great. Our team fought very, very hard. They shouldn't be hard on themselves at all. They're just terrific people. Just did a lot of great things on the floor. But we didn't have anyone over 6-0 for pretty much the last three minutes on the floor.
The young freshman, Allison (Vernerey), is doing terrific as well, but with this environment was a little much to expect her to be the difference maker Krystal (Thomas) was. I just wish Krystal (Thomas) could have finished that game. That's all. That would have made it interesting.
Duke Senior Forward Joy Cheek
Talk about the struggles you had scoring during the game?
It had a little to do with patience and taking the right shots. At the beginning of the game, we moved the ball a lot and kept them on their toes. We attacked more and got to the line.
What was it about Baylor's defense that made it so difficult to score?
(Brittney) Griner. When you have somebody in the paint with shot-blocking ability like that, it can make it difficult for you to take the shots you want to take.
Talk about the defensive job you did on (Brittney) Griner. She earned everything she got, and you really banged her around.
We take pride in getting stops, and we knew she was a big part of their offense. We wanted to make it tough for her and make sure she took hard shots she really earned.
Duke Junior Guard Jasmine Thomas
Talk about the struggles you had scoring during the game?
At the end of the game, we got some looks we wanted. We just needed some second shots.
You guys missed your first 10 shots, and it seems as though you were trying to compensate for (Brittney) Griner and see where she was. Was it like that?
If she's standing in the middle of the paint, you don't want to take it right at her. We were trying to draw her out, trying to pick and choose our shots. We may have missed our first 10 shots, but a lot of them were right in the paint with her.
What was it about Baylor's defense that made it so difficult to score?
They have quick guards on the perimeter. We got by them, but with (Brittney) Griner in the paint, it makes you think twice about going all the way to the basket. When we did pull her out, we still settled for outside shots. We could have taken to the basket.
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Blue Devil Postgame Notes * Baylor * NCAA Tournament Regional Semifinal * March 29, 2010
With The Duke Loss:
* Concluded the season with a 30-6 overall record.
* Fell to 43-17 all-time in NCAA Tournament play.
* Coach P dropped to 16-14 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.
* Is now 11-4 all-time when seeded No. 2 in the NCAA Tournament.
* Snapped a six-game winning streak.
* Dropped to 8-4 this season against ranked opponents.
* Fell to 4-4 all-time in NCAA Regional Final action.
* Dropped its first ever contest against Baylor.
* Moved to 10-7 all-time against Big 12 teams.
* Fell to 2-4 all-time versus No. 4 seeds in the NCAA Tournament.
Junior Jasmine Thomas
* Finished the game with 16 points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal.
* Named to the Memphis Regional All-Tournament team.
* With her one steal on the night, became just the second Duke player to register 100 or more steals in a season (Alana Beard).
* Her 1,168 points this year is the most minutes played in Duke's single-season history.
* Notched double-figure scoring for the ninth straight game and the 32nd time this season.
* Started her 60th straight contest.
* Finished with 577 points this season, which is the seventh-highest single-season point total in school history.
* Hit one three-pointer to finish the year with 63 treys made on the season, which is fourth on the Duke single-season charts.
Senior Joy Cheek
* In her final collegiate game, had seven points, six rebounds, four steals and one assist.
* Named to the Memphis Regional All-Tournament team.
* Moved into a tie for fifth on Duke's all-time games played list with 137 games played.
* Played in her 124th straight game.
* Broke a streak of seven games without a three-pointer as she hit one in the second half. Missed 11 in those games.
* Finished her career with 679 rebounds, which ranks 12th all-time in Duke history.
Junior Karima Christmas
* Finished the game with 10 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks.
* Posted her second double-double of the season and third of her career.
* Named to the Memphis Regional All-Tournament team.
* Came off the bench in the first half and notched eight points, six rebounds and one block in 15 minutes.
* In the last game versus San Diego State, played 16 minutes, had zero points and two rebounds.
* Notched double-figure scoring for the 18th time this season and the 28th of her career.
Senior Keturah Jackson
* Hit only 1-of-8 field goals on the night.
* Finished with three points and five rebounds.
Senior Bridgette Mitchell
* Had six points, five rebounds and one assist in 21 minutes.
* Dealt with foul trouble most of the game and finished with four fouls.
Junior Krystal Thomas
* Had eight points, five rebounds, one assist, one steal and two blocks.
* Fouled out for the first time this season and the second time in her career.
Other Duke Notes:
* Shot a season-low 23.1 percent from the field.
* Pulled down 19 offensive rebounds.
* Playing in its 16th consecutive and 17th overall appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
* Fell to 0-6 this season when shooting under 40.0 percent from the field.
* Lost for the first time this season when holding an opponent to under 60 points (22-1).
* Hit only 3-of-17 three-point field goals.
* Outrebounded Baylor, 48-42, for the game.
* Held a 14-4 advantage in second chance points.
* Tied a season low with 48 points scored.
* As a team, took four charges on the night (Mitchell, Thomas, Jackson and Cheek).
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Official Basketball Box Score -- Game Totals -- Final Statistics
#14/18 Baylor vs #6/6 Duke
3-29-10 6:00 p.m. at Memphis, Tenn. (FedExForum)
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Jasmine Thomas drives to the Sweet 16 -Rick Crank Photo
DURHAM, N.C.—Sixth-ranked and second-seeded Duke (29-5) advanced to its 12th NCAA Regional over the last 13 years as the Blue Devils downed 21st-ranked and seventh-seeded LSU, 60-52, on Monday night in Cameron Indoor Stadium. Junior Jasmine Thomas registered 15 points and senior Bridgette Mitchell added 12 for Duke, who held LSU to only 28.6 percent shooting in the second half.
The Blue Devils will next play in the Memphis Regional on Saturday, March 27 against the winner of the West Virginia/San Diego State contest.
Blue Devil Postgame Notes * LSU * NCAA Tournament Second Round * March 22, 2010
With The Duke Victory:
Improved to 29-5 overall on the season.
Advanced to the NCAA Regionals for the 12th time out of the last 13 years.
Moved to 42-16 all-time in NCAA Tournament play.
Won its 14th straight home NCAA Tournament contest in Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Improved to 8-3 this season against ranked opponents.
Owns a 16-2 overall record in NCAA Tournament action in Cameron.
Coach P improved to 15-13 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.
Moved to 26-13 all-time against Southeastern Conference teams.
Improved to 16-1 this season at home and matched a school record with 16 home victories in 2009-10.
Is now 10-3 all-time when seeded No. 2 in the NCAA Tournament.
Coach P improved to 39-4 in Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Improved to 135-10 in Cameron Indoor Stadium over the last 10 years.
Is now 30-1 in Cameron Indoor Stadium the last two years.
Moved to 2-1 all-time against No. 7 seeds in the NCAA Tournament.
Improved to 4-3 in the series history against LSU.
Junior Jasmine Thomas
Finished the game with 15 points, five rebounds, three steals and one assist in 36 minutes.
Notched double-figure scoring for the seventh straight game and the 30th time this season.
Started her 58th straight contest.
With her five field goals attempted, now owns 484 for the season to rank fourth on Duke’s single-season list.
Junior Karima Christmas
Registered nine points, six rebounds, one assist and one steal in 31 minutes.
Double-figure scoring streak was snapped at five straight games.
Senior Keturah Jackson
Notched eight points, two rebounds and three steals.
Senior Bridgette Mitchell
Collected 12 points, six rebounds and three steals.
Snapped a nine-game streak without scoring double-digits.
Scored the most points since Feb. 11, 2010 when she had 12 points against N.C. State.
Junior Krystal Thomas
Notched six points, two blocks, three rebounds, one assist and one steal in 22 minutes.
Blocked two or more shots for the fifth straight game.
Senior Joy Cheek
Had eight points, five rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal in 32 minutes.
Other Duke Notes:
Allowed a season-high 52.4 percent shooting in the first half.
Held LSU to only 28.6 percent field goal percentage in the second half.
Playing in its 16th consecutive and 17th overall appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Improved to 25-0 this year when shooting over 40.0 percent from the field.
Moved to 21-0 this year when holding opponents to 60 points or under.
Was outrebounded, 15-11, in the first half and finished the game with a 32-27 rebounding advantage.
Outrebounded LSU, 22-12, in the second half.
Forced 22 LSU turnovers, which marks the 23rd time this season an opponent has 20+ turnovers.
Had only three offensive rebounds in the first half but came back in the second to post nine to finish with 11.
Registered 13 steals, which marks the ninth straight game with 10 or more steals for the Blue Devils.
Hit only 1-of-10 three-point field goals.
Held a 14-0 advantage in bench points.
Advanced to the Memphis Regional where it will play the winner of the West Virginia/San Diego State contest on Saturday, March 27, 2010.
Duke Head Coach Joanne P. McCallie
Opening Statement:
“It was a tremendous basketball game. There were so many ties, lead changes, and so much excitement. Very physical play out there, a terrific basketball game overall. LSU is a terrific basketball team and I am really proud of our team. Especially, the second half defense with the field goal percentage that was forced. The way our team stayed together as a unit and the way our team communicated and stayed together. Particularly, some of the plays that were made by various people, certainly the players sitting to my right here Karima Christmas, Bridgette Mitchell, Jasmine Thomas, and I have to add Joy Cheek to that list. They made big plays and very strong finishes and we were very happy to outrebound LSU because they are a terrific rebounding team and we were down in the first half in that area. We are very excited and looking forward to moving forward.”
On senior class play on the game…
“I think Keturah [Jackson] is someone who was 6-of-6 last game and 4-of-5 this game. She is focused, she is relaxed, and she is quite sure of what she can do out there. She has been through a lot in her career injury wise, in particular her shoulder injury and I think she is such a committed person of integrity that she is going to take advantage of every opportunity. She is quite but remarkable.
“For Bridgette, she is kind of our city slicker, our tough hard nose. She has a lot of energy and she has become one of the best bench because of her energy because we rotate our starters. You have to love her on the bench because she is so loud and she comes in with her energy and hits those dagger shots and everything else. It was great to see her attack the way she did.”
“Joy is just a very focused player, she has very high IQ about basketball. I know she was upset about her play early in the game but she didn’t hang her head. She is not one to let things get to her. She let it fuel her to play better.”
Senior, F/G, Bridgette Mitchell
On her offensive mindset for the game…
“I think that my teammates did a good job of finding me when I was open. All the guards we practice dribble pull-up jump shots all the time, so it was nothing different it was just open for me tonight.”
On playing in Cameron Indoor…
“Cameron Indoor is always amazing. It is always a great place and to be here for the first and second rounds of the NCAA tournament is a blessing and we just embraced it.
Junior, F/G, Karima Christmas
On the team’s defense …
“I think we were really trying to pressure the guards. We knew that if we put a lot of pressure on the point guards and put a lot of stress on getting it to No. 23 [Allison Hightower], that they would make some mistakes and we capitalized on those.”
Junior, G, Jasmine Thomas
On what allowed the team to pull away toward the end of the game
“I just remember there was that play where we went up 46-43 and we had a stop and a rebound and we walked the ball up the floor. I think it was that moment that we really realized that it was time take control of the game and stop trading baskets. Take our time on offense, get good possessions, make second shots, and play good defense.”
Senior Forward Joy Cheek
On Duke’s toughness down the stretch:
“Physically and mentally … I think it shows because we played in a lot of close games … out of conference games early in the season and then late. And I think winning those games is a lot of credit to mental toughness because you’ve got to be able to fight through. You’re tired, we pressed the whole game, we’re a running team and I think mentally we’re able to finish those games because we’re a lot tougher mentally. And physically because we prepared in the off-season and during the season in the weight room, getting extra running, things like that. So I think when [Head Coach Joanne P. McCallie] says that we’re tough out there, she means both mentally and physically.”
On the difference that propelled Duke to victory:
“I think it’s just digging it out. You just have to fight. We didn’t want it to be our last game. People stepped up and made big plays, we played really well. Jasmine [Thomas] played well, Karima [Christmas] with her drives to the hole … We’re a veteran team also – mostly made up of juniors and seniors, so I think that also is a plus for us, that we’ve been there, done that. And we have that mental toughness to make those big plays at the end.”
On how this game compared to last year’s loss against Michigan State:
“I think those games last year helped us this year, because we knew where we fell short. Last year when we played, we got mentally beat and we got physically beat – we got knocked out at Michigan State. They were a lot tougher than we were. Mentally, coming down the stretch, they made bigger plays. That was a tight game, and it could have easily gone either way. And I think they were in the game more than we were, physically and mentally. And I think that prepared us this year because we know how that feels to be on the other side.”
Junior Forward Karima Christmas
On Duke’s physical aggressiveness throughout the game:
“I think we just all wanted to get the hustle plays, get the loose balls, come up with the ball and just give us another opportunity to score on it. So everybody was going after the ball, pursuing the ball.”
On how key rebounding was in the game:
“It was difficult because it was an even match. They box out, we box out. The height wasn’t that much of a difference. So we just kind of had to battle it out and come up with key plays and rebounds.”
On Duke’s improved offensive rebounding in the second half:
“We only had three in the first half. We knew we had to do it because that’s one of our main things. We get points off of our offensive rebounds, so we knew that was one thing we had to come out and [do].”
“Just put it in your head that you need to get the ball, pursue the ball more. Being able to get in front of them because they’re boxing us out, so being in a position to get the ball.”
On the team’s mindset heading into the next round of NCAA Tournament play:
“[We are] just taking it one game at a time. We find out who we play tomorrow, and just getting our scouting reports and doing what we have to do to get it done.”
Junior Guard Jasmine Thomas
On the team’s mindset in the final minutes of the game:
“I think that always has to be the mentality when you’re playing against a good team, is trying to be scrappy and come from behind because you can get caught up in the fast play and make mistakes like they want you to.”
On Duke’s lead in the closing minutes:
“We finally got control of the game. And it was all stops down the stretch and more rebounds … During the whole game, we couldn’t really buy a rebound put-back, but we got some down the end of the game.”
On the team’s preparation heading into the next round of play:
“You need a day to rest so you can be ready to keep going. But you definitely take tomorrow off, you take that time to … catch up on work and be ready to be back at it.”
On the team’s determination after losing in the second round of the tournament last year:
“It’s nothing that we didn’t think we could do, but I think just after what happened last year and in the past, it’s good to get back to this point so we go on to prove ourselves from here.”
Senior Guard Keturah Jackson:
On finishing her career in Cameron with a win:
“That’s the whole story right there. Not so much it being my last game in Cameron but really just wanting to extend the season as long as we can. And I just wanted to contribute any way I could, and if it’s hustle plays, then that’s what it was. I don’t think I was thinking to make the play – I was just playing in the moment.”
On her composure during the game:
“I think that’s just something that our team needs. We’ve been in this situation many times, we’ve been in close games. The ACC [Tournament] first round, we won by one point, so we’ve been in this situation many times. I think it’s just the confidence I have in my team and our coaching staff, that we’ve faced everything so we can overcome this too.”
On switching from man-to-man to zone defense and how it helped Duke stop LSU’s Allison Hightower:
“I think [LSU is] a very good penetrating team, so the zone helped us to pack down the lane. [We had] just a lot of communication in the zone and in defense. When you have a player like [Hightower], we just have to talk a lot, and that’s what got the job done for us.”
LSU Head Coach Van Chancellor
Opening Statement:
“I’m really proud of our team. This is the proudest I’ve been of our team all year, even though we lost the game. I thought we left it all on the floor today. I thought our kids came to play and we gave it everything we had. Duke’s just got a great team and they got a really good team here. Their style of play and playing here with all those fans on top of you, the way they press you, they cause a lot of problems. We hung in and played hard and played as good as we could. We gave it everything we had. When I coach, and I’ve coached a long time, I like to coach teams that give me everything they got; I thought we did that tonight. It felt like a Sweet 16 game that puts you on to the Final Four, that’s how the intensity was. We did something tonight that was uncharacteristic, we don’t ever do it. I’ve been at LSU for three years, and we’ have led the SEC in assists-to-turnovers. We just don’t turn the ball over that much. We’re not a turnover-prone basketball team. Part of that tonight was self-inflicted. And then part of it was, give it up to Duke they just have so many athletes that are about 6’1” and those arms make them play about 6’3”. Give them credit. They hung in; we fought them. They did a nice job. Joanne [McCallie] has done a nice job of kind of changing this team into a multiple defensive team and that gives them an opportunity. I do think this, we did a great job on the boards till the very end, but I thought that was because we gave out. That was one of my concerns, rebounding, but I was pleased with that. Let me just say this, I came to LSU in ’07 and if Allison Hightower had transferred, LSU’s program goes rock-bottom. Allison Hightower stayed and we built this program around her for three years.”
On Allison Hightower:
“I’d probably say she’s been the ultimate teammate. She’s a lot different than she is around me. She’s funny and she does a lot of things to make them laugh and they just love her to death. You can see how they feel. We’re going to take about three players to replace her. And they’re going to have to get a whole lot better coach.”
On trying to extend the lead:
“I never did think we had to build a cushion. We had two shots … we got two unlucky breaks. We opened up right off the bat, right at the start of the second half and Boogie [LaSondra Barrett] has the ball and we’re about to pass for Allison for a lay-up and she loses the ball and fouls and I had to take her out of the game. That was with about 12 minutes to go. We got two really good looks and missed. Then we lost one key rebound. I never did think we needed a cushion. I thought we were going to have to make shots. Maybe I was wrong there. It felt like at that time that we were matching them play-for-play. When you come down in a close basketball game, one possession right after the other, you get the ball about two feet from the basket and it goes up on the back rim and pops out and the other kinda spins around, that’s hard to overcome emotionally. Especially when they’re going down on the other end and really being tough and sticking it back in.”
On matching up against Duke’s different defensive schemes:
“They played us man and I wanted to start down there and tell Joanne [McCallie] to stay in the man. Cause when we were in man, we were running a little play we have and we were running our motion post exchange and Hightower was getting one shot after the other. When they went to that 1-2-2, zone, they’re so big in it, it makes it look like they have six players out there. That’s hard to get in the gaps of it. When we got in the gaps of it we turned the ball over. Forget everything else, you turn the ball over 22 times against a team this good on the road, it’s hard to overcome. I don’t care what else you do. We did pretty good, points in the paint, points off of turnovers wasn’t too bad. You cannot give a team 22 more possessions, of course we forced them into 19 turnovers so that’s plus-3 and that’s kinda where the game is.”
On three players playing 40 minutes:
“I thought the two little missed shots at the end of the game … we told them ahead of the game, they got to play 40 minutes and take a two-minute break. I mean they’re not but 20 years-old. You’re not working down coal mines of West Virginia. This is basketball, play. I wanted them not to think that. I told the staff I wasn’t subbing. What hurt was, my back-up point guard got a concussion and I couldn’t play her. So when I couldn’t play her, I have two freshmen on my bench. I wasn’t going to put those two freshmen in, I’m going to tell you that now. Play till you drop. We’ll carry you to the hospital after the game. We got a week to before we play again. That was a psychological ploy. I did not think that hurt us. You got a key turnover late in the game where she might’ve got nudged but she said it wasn’t too bad. Then you missed a little shot. Just the turning point of a close game. If you didn’t care who won, I bet it was a heckuva game. So happens I just care who won it.”
On what LSU needs to make a Final Four run:
“One great shooter. One person who can just out there and stick the ball in anytime from any place. I got one coming in. I need to recruit one more. Where do you think Duke is? How far are they from going to a Final Four? They’re pretty close. We’re pretty close to them. Would you think Duke’s pretty close? I can think of only one problem with Duke, I wish that dang athletic director of mine hadn’t hired Joanne [McCallie]. I wish he hired a mad coach. You want to know the truth. I’m kidding. I wish Al Brown had gotten the job at Michigan State and he wasn’t here with her too. We’re just wishing, let’s wish for everything.”
On the defensive scheme for Jasmine Thomas:
“Jasmine Thomas is the best point guard we’ve seen all year. But I thought the difference maker for Duke tonight was (Bridgette) Mitchell. Jasmine Thomas did about what I thought she’d done. I’m not taking anything away from her. She did about what I thought she’d do. She hurt us, but I thought we did a good job on her. Mitchell was the one that hurt us. She made some dagger shots. I was surprised. Duke’s going to go to Memphis and play better. Sometimes when you play at home you want to win at home in front to your fans and it puts a lot of pressure on you. But if you haven’t seen Tennessee play, ohhhh. Lord they’re big. They’re built like a men’s basketball team in height. I wanted to make sure you understood that.”
Senior Guard Allison Hightower
On hitting shots early in the game:
“I felt good about it. My teammates were screening for me and getting me the ball. I was really fortunate to knock them down early. Once I started getting the ball, they started biting on it and paying me a lot more attention and it opened up for everybody then.”
On Duke’s defensive pressure:
“Duke’s defense is really tough. They’re aggressive, they’re very long, very quick. I give credit to their defense. They’re very tough. You get tired if you go hard the entire game, but I give credit to their defense.”
On playing her final game:
“I wasn’t thinking about it on the court. I just wanted to continue to play. You can’t really think about it. Just playing till the clock hits zero, so I just wanted to continue to play. It has set in; my college career is over. I hope that I can set an example for my teammates to continue to work hard, continue to do good on and off the court … just continue to be great people.”
Sophomore Forward LaSondra Barrett
On the environment in Cameron:
“I think it’s a lot. As you see, their fans motivate them. For much of the game, we had them pretty quiet, but every steal or and-one that they get, it really excites their fans. It’s like a motivation for them. I guess we just have to keep fighting. We should have just kept fighting through that. It’s a tough environment.”
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Official Basketball Box Score -- Game Totals -- Final Statistics
#21/-- LSU vs #6/6 Duke
3-22-10 7:11 PM at Durham, N.C. (Cameron Indoor Stadium)
Jasmine Thomas went behind her back during a steal and layup, then lofted a perfect alley-oop pass to a teammate. Everything was coming easy for her and for Duke - just as it seemingly always does during NCAA tournament games at home.
Thomas scored 11 of her 13 points during the decisive first half of the Blue Devils' 72-37 rout of Hampton on Saturday in the first round of the Memphis Regional.
Keturah Jackson's 13 points were a career high and Karima Christmas also scored 13 for No. 2 seed Duke (28-5), which dominated nearly every stat category, outscored Hampton 35-6 during the final 15:45 of the first half and cruised into a second-round matchup with No. 7 seed LSU on Monday night.
"Everyone was engaged," Jackson said. "Everyone contributed. And we were all in tune."
Choicetta McMillian had nine points to lead the 15th-seeded Pirates (20-12). The outmanned Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions had a season-low point total, were held to fewer than 40 points for the first time since November 2005 and had their six-game winning streak snapped with their most lopsided loss of the year.
The Blue Devils led 40-14 at halftime and were never threatened after that in extending their dominance at Cameron Indoor Stadium, where their only loss since 2008 came earlier this season to top-ranked Connecticut. They've won 13 straight NCAA tournament games here, and the average margin of victory in the first 12 was 27.
Duke shot nearly 46 percent, held a 47-31 rebounding advantage and forced 16 turnovers in winning its fourth straight and 10th in 11 games.
"They were very aggressive. I thought they were going to be aggressive, but they were, like, really aggressive," Hampton forward Quanneisha Perry said. "Once we broke it, I guess we tried to relax. But with their press, you can't really relax. You have to be strong with the ball, take care of the ball and look for the right passes, and we didn't do that at all."
It took the Blue Devils a few minutes to get rolling, but not because they were rusty after being off for two weeks following their first Atlantic Coast Conference tournament title since 2004.
"I think we started out going too fast and rushing some things on offense," Thomas said. "We just settled down and got into the flow of the game."
Once that happened, they started playing like a No. 2 seed - and this one was no contest.
Duke took the lead for good on Allison Vernerey's layup 5 minutes in, Christmas pushed it into double figures to stay with roughly 9½ minutes left and Thomas stretched it into the 20s for good with her highlight-reel steal and layup just inside the 4-minute mark.
That had them well on their way into the second round yet again; the Blue Devils have won at least one game in each of their 16 appearances in the NCAAs.
The undersized Pirates gave themselves a few snapshot moments at one of college basketball's most famous arenas, spending roughly 3 early minutes in the lead. But after Laura Lewis' runner off the glass put them up 8-5 with 16 minutes left, they missed 18 of the 20 shots that followed while turning it over 10 times during the rest of the half.
"You have to take baby steps, and I think this is one of them," coach David Six said. "I think now we know what it's like. I think there were times during the game that we belonged on the floor. I don't think for one second that we were intimidated. We didn't execute well, but we weren't intimidated."
GREENSBORO, N.C. - The final buzzer sounded, and Duke's Joy Cheek flung the ball toward the ceiling before locking fellow seniors Keturah Jackson and Bridgette Mitchell in a long, lasting hug.
Whoop it up, ladies. You've finally got an Atlantic Coast Conference tournament title.
No. 9 Duke captured its first ACC championship since 2004 by beating North Carolina State 70-60 on Sunday behind 18 points from tournament MVP Jasmine Thomas.
Karima Christmas added 13 points for the Blue Devils (27-5), who forced 23 turnovers and outrebounded the Wolfpack 46-32 in claiming their sixth ACC title and first since winning five in a row from 2000-04.
"To have the opportunity to be here again, after having lost those three years, it was just now or never," Mitchell said.
For these Blue Devils' seniors, their final game in Greensboro came with some fitting symmetry. They were freshmen in 2007 when Duke was undefeated, ranked No. 1 nationally and rolling toward an inevitable title when they were upset in the semifinals by an N.C. State team inspired by coach Kay Yow's feel-good midseason return.
Duke made it to the championship in each of the three years that followed under coach Joanne P. McCallie, but the Blue Devils were stopped by powerful No. 1 seeds in both 2008 and '09. This time, the No. 1 seed belonged to them - and they took full advantage.
"We had this goal in mind, because three of us have seen us go to the ACC tournament championship and come up short," Cheek said. "The balloons and the streamers, we had to watch them fall down for someone else. And so we didn't want to have to see that happen again. It was an embarrassing feeling, and we just didn't want to feel like that again."
Nikitta Gartrell had 19 points to lead the sixth-seeded Wolfpack (20-13). They were denied in their bid to become the first team to win four games in four days here and were out for their third upset of a ranked team in eight days.
"I'm extremely proud of our team for so many reasons," first-year coach Kellie Harper said. "But in that locker room ... I was proud of them for wanting more. They're hurt that they didn't win this game, and I am so proud of that."
Cheek had 11 points while Thomas, who averaged 16 points in the tournament, added six rebounds and six assists. Duke took the lead for good by reeling off 14 consecutive points during a 23-7 run midway through the first half, went up by 18 with about 8½ minutes remaining and refused to allow N.C. State to complete a second comeback in two days.
Brittany Strachan hit two 3-pointers in a 34-second span to pull the Wolfpack within 65-56 with just under 3 minutes left, but they couldn't get any closer.
The Blue Devils' reward: A banner to hang at Cameron Indoor Stadium and roughly two weeks off before they make 16th straight NCAA tournament appearance - on their home court, no less.
"It's kind of like the appetizer before the big meal, and it's a very, very good appetizer," said McCallie, the first coach in Division I history to win conference tournaments in four different leagues.
Duke won the first meeting 70-39 on Feb. 11, and while it controlled the rematch throughout, this one was nowhere near that lopsided: The Blue Devils' largest lead came when Cheek's jumper made it 60-42 with 8:18 left.
Bonae Holston added 14 points for the Wolfpack, who reached the title game for the 14th time, but first since the 2007 team's Yow-inspired run.
"Winning is a big part of how we've been acting lately," Gartrell said. "Our confidence and everything has been sky high. We can't drop our heads and let our confidence go away because we have NCAAs to worry about now."
Three years after that unlikely ride, and a year after her death, and the late coach still was never far from anybody's mind. Hanging from the rafters behind one basket was a banner bearing her name in pink, the color of breast-cancer awareness, with an inverted ribbon replacing the "Y'' in her last name. Harper, her replacement, was trying to become the first first-year coach to win the women's tournament.
She helped N.C. State rally from 10 points down to beat Boston College in the semifinals. Early on in this one, Duke's full-court pressure put the Wolfpack in that unwelcome position again.
That aggressive defense wound up proving too much for N.C. State, especially during the first-half run that put the Blue Devils on their way to the title. They forced 15 turnovers in the opening half - 10 during that spurt, and many of those created by the press that continually frustrated the Wolfpack.
Head Coaches: Duke: Joanne P. McCallie (392-169, 18th Season);
North Carolina: Sylvia Hatchell (830-292, 35th Season)
Maryland: Brenda Frese (251-101, 11th Season)
Blue Devils Open ACC Tournament on Friday Versus Maryland or North Carolina...
The ninth-ranked and No. 1 seeded Duke women’s basketball team (24-5, 12-2 ACC) will open the ACC Tournament on Friday afternoon at 3:00 p.m., in the quarterfinals against the winner of the No. 8 seed North Carolina (18-10, 6-8 ACC) versus No. 9 seed Maryland (18-10, 6-8 ACC) contest. All games will be played at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C.
The game will be televised live nationally on Fox Sports South in high definition with Mike Hogewood (PXP) and Debbie Antonelli (Color) calling the action. Fans can also hear the Blue Devils on the Duke ISP Radio Network on WDNC AM 620 with Steve Barnes (PXP) and Morgan Patrick (Color) on the air. The radio is also available online at www.GoDuke.com, on XM Radio 190 and Sirius 216. Duke is currently ranked No. 9 in the Associated Press and No. 8 in the ESPN/USA Today Division I Coaches Poll.
The Maryland/North Carolina contest will take place on Thursday, March 4 at 3:00 p.m. If Duke were to win the contest on Friday, the Blue Devils would play on Saturday in the semifinals at 1:00 p.m. The championship game will be played on Sunday, March 7 at 1:00 p.m.
Noting Duke...
Duke is coming off shooting a season-low 26.4 percent from the field against North Carolina to close the regular season, while its 54.2 free throw percentage was a season-low against ACC opponents ... during the first 11 games of 2009, Duke only took five charges, but over the last 18 contests the players have taken 21 (Shay Selby - 6, Allison Vernerey - 5, Karima Christmas - 5) ... the Blue Devils are the only team in the ACC to have beaten a ranked non-conference opponent this season (No. 3 OSU and No. 25 JMU) ... the Blue Devils hold a 1030-526 points in the paint advantage on the year ... Duke has been listed in the top 25 of the AP poll for 203 straight weeks, which is the longest current streak in the ACC and third nationally.
The Series With North Carolina...
The Blue Devils and Tar Heels have met 78 times in school history with North Carolina leading the overall series, 45-33. Duke has won 19 of the last 30 games. In games played in the ACC Tournament, the Blue Devils own a 4-6 record against the Tar Heels. UNC has won two straight in the championship game, but Duke had won four in a row prior to the two losses.
Blue Devil Head Coach Joanne P. McCallie has faced North Carolina nine times over her 18 years as a head coach. McCallie has a 2-7 record against the Tar Heels. She lost two of those contests while as head coach at Maine. McCallie’s squad faced North Carolina in the 2000 NCAA Tournament in Santa Barbara, Calif., and fell 62-57 on March 18. The Black Bears also lost, 68-52, on Dec. 28, 1996 on a neutral site. Since joining Duke, McCallie has notched a 2-5 mark.
The Series With Maryland...
Duke and Maryland have meet 72 times in school history. The Blue Devils trail, 37-35, in the series. Duke has won 23 of the last 30 contests against the Terrapins.
In games played in the ACC Tournament, Duke owns a 4-6 record against the Terrapins.
Blue Devil Head Coach Joanne P. McCallie has faced Maryland 10 times in her 18-year coaching career, while notching a 4-6 overall record. In 2005, McCallie’s Michigan State team fell 75-61 in the Paradise Jam on Nov. 25, 2005. The Spartans traveled to Maryland on Jan. 6, 2007, and lost 97-57. Since taking the Duke job, McCallie has posted a 4-4 record against the Terrapins.
Storylines/Other Blue Devil Notes...
• Duke has won 15 straight opening round games in the ACC Tournament and has advanced to at least the semifinals every year since 1995. The Blue Devils have won 23 out of the last 28 contests in the ACC Tournament.
• The Blue Devils have won five ACC Championships over the last 10 years and have advanced to the ACC title game a total of nine times. Duke has a record of 9-6 in the semifinals and 5-5 in championship games. • Since 1995, Duke has entered the ACC Tournament six times coming off a loss to end the regular season. The Blue Devils went on to advance to the ACC Championship game four times and won the 2000 ACC title.
• In Duke’s 32 years in the ACC Tournament, the Blue Devils own a 2-1 all-time record against No. 8 seeds and a 6-0 record versus No. 9 seeds. The only loss to a No. 8 seed was in 1993 against Wake Forest, 70-69. The Blue Devils own a 4-6 record against both North Carolina and Maryland in the ACC Tournament.
• With her six assists at UNC on Feb. 28, Jasmine Thomas became the 10th player in Duke history to notch over 1,000 points and 300 assists. She currently owns 1,039 points and 304 assists in three years.
• With one more victory, Duke will register 25 or more wins for the 12th straight season.
• Over the last five games, Karima Christmas has averaged 14.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.4 steals, 1.6 assists and 0.8 blocks. She has notched double-digit scoring in four out of the last five contests. Christmas had a career-high 25 points and a career-high four three-pointers made against Maryland on Feb. 21. Christmas had hit only two treys the last 12 games prior to the Terrapin contest.
• After not scoring more than 10 points over the last 11 games, senior Joy Cheek has notched 17 points, 13 points and 10 points the last three contests. She has hit 5-of-10 treys the last four games and had hit only two from downtown the last 10 contests. During the last three games, Cheek has averaged 13.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.7 steals.
• Six different Blue Devils have registered 20+ points in a game this season, which leads the ACC. Allison Vernerey, Jasmine Thomas, Krystal Thomas, Bridgette Mitchell, Joy Cheek and Bridgette Mitchell have all scored 20 or more points this year in a game. Both Georgia Tech and Maryland are second with five different players.
• Junior Jasmine Thomas moved into ninth place on Duke’s all-time steals list with 183 for her career, while Keturah Jackson is four away from 10th place as well.
• Over her first three years at Duke, senior Bridgette Mitchell registered eight double-figure scoring games, while this year the 6’0 wing has collected 10 games with double-digit scoring.
• Sophomore guard Chelsea Hopkins has missed the last four contests with soreness in her left knee. She is listed as day-to-day.
• In her three years at Duke, junior Jasmine Thomas has increased her field goal percentage, three-point field goal percentage, free throw percentage and scoring each year.
• Senior Keturah Jackson has a career high with eight three-pointers made in a single season. Over her four years, she has hit 12 treys and had drained only five her first three years.
• In three years at Duke, Head Coach Joanne P. McCallie has notched four victories against top-five ranked teams -- #3/3 Ohio State in 2009-10, #3/4 Stanford in 2008-09, while knocking off #4/3 Rutgers and #5/4 Maryland in 2007-08.
• In the latest NCAA RPI, Duke is fifth behind Connecticut, Stanford, Tennessee and Nebraska. FSU is 12th, which is the next ACC squad.
• Duke is sixth in the latest RPI by Jeff Sagarin -- Connecticut (108.07), Stanford (101.67), Nebraska (100.15), Tennessee (98.00), Notre Dame (94.82) and Duke (93.87). The next closest ACC school is Florida State at No. 11 (91.00).
• Junior Krystal Thomas has moved into eighth place on Duke’s all-time blocked shots list with 121. She is nine blocked shots shy of seventh place all-time on the Blue Devil charts.
• To show how tough Duke’s schedule has been this year, the Blue Devils went up against eight undefeated teams this season -- Connecticut (17-0), Ohio State (8-0), James Madison (7-0), Stanford (7-0), Western Kentucky (3-0), Georgia Southern (1-0), Houston Baptist (0-0) and Texas A&M (0-0).
• The final Coach P Radio Show of 2009-10 will take place on Tuesday, March 16 at 6:00 p.m. The show will be stationed at Satisfaction Restaurant in Durham at Brightleaf Square. Make sure you get there early to secure a seat.
• Follow DukeWBBSID on and CoachPDuke on Twitter to get the latest updates on Duke women’s basketball. Also, join the “Official Duke Women’s Basketball Group” on Facebook to get the latest video, pictures and more. Join both now as they are free! You can win free prizes each week on both Twitter and Facebook, so make sure you follow closely.
Duke/North Carolina Storylines...
• If Duke and UNC meet on Friday, it would mark the first time in the series history the two teams have faced each other in back-to-back games.
• The last two times Duke and UNC have played in the ACC Tournament, the Tar Heels have come away on top (2008 and 2005).
• Junior Jasmine Thomas could go up against her former AAU teammate, Chay Shegog on Friday. Thomas is from Fairfax, Va., while Shegog is out of Stafford, Va., and they played for the Fairfax Stars.
• If Duke and North Carolina meet on Friday, it will be for one point in the Carlyle Cup, which is a year-long competition between the Blue Devils and Tar Heels and is sponsored by Carlyle & Co. Currently, UNC leads 10.0-5.5.
Duke/Maryland Storylines...
• If Duke and Maryland meet on Friday, the Blue Devils would face the Terrapins for the third time this season. It would mark the third straight year Duke and Maryland would have faced each other three times.
• Freshman Allison Vernerey could go up against one of her good friends, freshman Diandra Tchatchouang, of Maryland on Friday. Vernerey is from Alsace, France, while Tchatchouang is out of La Courneuve, France.
The duo played together on the French National teams the following years -- U-16 (2005, 2006, 2007), U-18 (2008). They both captained the 2007 European Championship winning team.
Vernerey played her basketball at Mulhouse from age 11 through 16 and last year she played at Illkirch-Graffenstaden in NF1. Tchatchouang played basketball for the CFBB (the French national Basketball academy) from 2005-09.
Duke Players Vs. North Carolina...
Jasmine Thomas has notched double-figure scoring in five straight games against UNC, while averaging 13.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.2 steals.
Over the last three games, Karima Christmas has notched double-digit scoring in two out of the last three games -- a team-high 14 points in the last meeting.
Joy Cheek notched double-figure scoring for the first time in her career against UNC in the last meeting in Chapel Hill, N.C., as she posted 10 points.
Duke Players Vs. Maryland...
In the last meeting with the Terrapins, Karima Christmas notched a career-high 25 points, career-high four three-pointers, four rebounds and four steals. She has notched 10+ points in two out of the last three contests against Maryland.
Joy Cheek collected double-digit scoring four times over her 10 contests she has played against Maryland.
Duke In The ACC Championship...
Duke has advanced to the ACC Championship game in eight out of the last 10 years ... the Blue Devils have won five ACC Championships (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004) ... Duke knocked off UNC for the ACC title in 2000, 2002, 2002, 2003 and 2004 ... in the Greensboro Coliseum, Duke owns a 5-3 record in the ACC title game.
Since the ACC Championship was moved to Greensboro in 2000, only Duke (2000-04), North Carolina (2005-08) and Maryland (2009) have won the title.
ACC Tournament Wins...
Since 2000, Duke leads the league with 23 victories in ACC Tournament action. The Blue Devils have notched a 23-5 mark, while the Tar Heels are second at 22-5.
Duke Playing in Greensboro...
With the ACC Tournament moving to Greensboro in 2000, Duke’s luck in the postseason changed greatly as the Blue Devils won 17 consecutive games to claim the ACC Tournament crowns from 2000-04 before losing to North Carolina in the championship in 2005. Duke has recorded a 25-6 ledger playing at the Greensboro Coliseum. It had been nicknamed Duke’s “Home Away From Home.”
The first two victories came in 1999 in the NCAA East Regional against Old Dominion and Tennessee. The victories advanced Duke to its first NCAA Final Four and National Championship game appearance. In ACC Tournament games, the Blue Devils have posted a 23-5 overall record in Greensboro.
The Blue Devils In the ACC Tournament...
ACC Tournament time had never been good to Duke until the year 2000 came around. Duke posted its first tournament crown as the Blue Devils downed FSU, Georgia Tech and UNC in 2000 and then won four more titles in 2001, ‘02, ‘03 and ‘04. The Blue Devils are seeded No. 1 for the eighth time in school history and the first since 2007.
Duke has advanced to the ACC Championship game the past two years in a row since Head Coach Joanne P. McCallie took over the reigns.
No women’s ACC team besides Duke has ever won five consecutive ACC Tournament titles and only one ACC men’s team has won five in a row-- Duke from 1999-2003.
McCallie In Tournament Play...
In her 18 years as a head coach, Joanne P. McCallie has produced a 28-11 record in league tournament action. She totaled an 8-1 mark in the North Atlantic Conference Tournament with two titles, a 10-2 record along with two titles in the America East Tournament, a 6-6 mark with one title in the Big Ten Tournament and a 4-2 mark in the ACC Tournament.
Duke Players in the ACC Tournament...
Both Jasmine Thomas and Karima Christmas are coming off averaging double-figure points in the 2009 ACC Tournament. Thomas averaged 11.0 points and 5.3 assists in three games started. Christmas scored at a 10.3 clip, while hitting 54.5 percent of her field goals.
Thomas has notched double-figure scoring in three out of the six ACC Tournament contests she has played.
Senior Joy Cheek has appeared in a team-high eight ACC Tournament games, while posting double-figure scoring in four of those.
DURHAM, N.C.—With an 83-65 victory on Friday night against No. 21 Virginia, the sixth-ranked Duke women’s basketball team clinched its ninth ACC Regular Season title in school history and the first under the direction of Head Coach Joanne P. McCallie. The Blue Devils were led by junior Jasmine Thomas with 21 points and freshman Allison Vernerey added 17.
The trio of Duke seniors – Joy Cheek, Keturah Jackson and Bridgette Mitchell – combined for 25 points, 14 rebounds, six assists and four blocked shots on the night.
Duke will close the regular season on Sunday, Feb. 28 at North Carolina at 3:00 PM on Fox Sports Net.
Blue Devil Postgame Notes * Virginia * February 26, 2010
With The Duke Victory:
Improved to 24-4, 12-1 in the ACC.
Clinched first place in the ACC Regular Season standings claiming its ninth ACC Regular Season title in school history.
Coach P notched her seventh career regular season title as a head coach – Maine (5), Michigan State (1).
Won its 17th straight game against Virginia.
Collected its 12th ACC victory of the season, which is the most in the three years at Duke for Coach P.
Totaled its 10th consecutive win versus the Cavaliers in Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Notched its 16th consecutive win in Cameron Indoor Stadium against ACC teams.
Won its 38th game out of the last 42 and 52nd out of the last 56 contests in Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Coach P improved to 27-4 all-time in Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Has notched a 133-10 record at Cameron Indoor Stadium the last 10 years.
Junior Jasmine Thomas
Moved into a tie for 10th place on Duke’s all-time steals list with 180.
Totaled six assists on the night, which is a season-high against ACC opponents.
Registered her ninth 20+ points game of the season.
Finished with 21 points, six rebounds and three assists.
Collected 18 or more points in her seventh game against ACC opponents this season.
Notched double-digit scoring for the 24th time this season and the 51st career time.
Was recognized following the game for becoming the 26th player in Duke history to notch 1,000 career points.
Senior Joy Cheek
Finished the game with 13 points and six rebounds on her senior night.
Notched double-digit scoring for the second straight game and the 13th time this season.
Junior Krystal Tomas
After scoring zero points and having only three rebounds in the first half, notched nine points and six rebounds in the second half.
Finished the game with nine points, nine rebounds, two steals, two blocks and one assist in 33 minutes.
Senior Bridgette Mitchell
Posted eight points, four rebounds and three assists on her senior night.
Junior Karima Christmas
Came off the bench to notch nine points, six rebounds and two assists in 25 minutes.
Freshman Allison Vernerey
Broke a string of three straight games without scoring double-figures as she notched 17 points on the night.
Added five rebounds, two blocks and one steal in 27 minutes.
Hit a career-high 8-of-8 from the field.
Started the second half in place of Krystal Thomas after notching six points and four rebounds in 12 minutes in the first half.
Will turn 19 years old on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010.
Totaled double-digit scoring for the 10th time this season.
Other Duke Notes:
Outrebounded Virginia, 26-14, in the second half go on to outrebound the Cavaliers, 41-35. Was outrebounded 21-15 in the first half.
Hit its first seven shots of the second half to open a 51-36 lead with 13:59 remaining.
Shot 52.9 percent from the field in the second half.
Its 47.7 percent field goal percentage was a season high against ACC opponents.
Held a 44-20 points in the paint advantage.
Collected 25 points off Virginia’s 19 turnovers.
Swatted eight shots by four different players.
Had 28 points off the bench.
Seniors Joy Cheek, Keturah Jackson and Bridgette Mitchell were recognized prior to the game for senior day.
Will close out the regular season on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 3:00 PM against North Carolina. The game will be televised nationally on Fox Sports Net.
Duke Head Coach Joanne P. McCallie
Opening statement:
“It was just a tremendous second half by everybody. I’m very proud of our team, it was great team basketball, much better defense, rebounding, and attacking. Jasmine [Thomas’] leadership in the second half and her attack mode, Allison [Vernerey] starting us off right away and being so aggressive, and Joy [Cheek] was steady Joy all the way through, rebounding and scoring and doing the things that she does. It was really a team effort, I’m very happy for the seniors; I thought all of them played pretty well and were very aggressive. It’s one game and we’ve got a second game to make it a two game weekend but we’re very excited for the next game as well.”
On the difference in getting the ball inside in the second half:
“I thought that the team and players changed the focus and got the ball in more effectively. I thought that we were a little wild in the first 10 minutes of the first half.”
On winning the ACC regular season title:
“I think it’s just great and reflects this team totally. This team has been working hard since summer, everyone has done their part. They’ve been steady and consistent and it’s really been the team’s mindset. It’s special for Duke, it’s always special to capture titles, that’s what it’s all about.”
On Allison’s play in the beginning of the second half:
“The game is a long time and I think that Allison got us started in the right way. The ball went inside, Allison was aggressive, and there were some great passes from Jasmine to get the ball inside as well as finding Joy. Allison can be so aggressive for the basketball; I think that aggressiveness bleeds off to everyone else. Everyone feels good about what is going on. There were a lot of key plays; Jasmine’s attacks in the second half were very key and she hit some critical shots, Allison and what she was doing, her strong moves to the basket and Joy as well, I just think we were at a higher level of attack mode than we were in the first half.”
On the quick turnaround to Sunday and what they can improve on in that time:
“There are a lot of things that we can improve on. I mean we were losing the rebounding battle for forever this game and I’m so happy for the team that they recovered. That would have been a whole lot more film watching. You’ve got to want the ball and the ball has to be a part of us, I just think that we settled down. It’s always hard to get started on a Senior Day, it’s special. Emotions run high and that’s good and bad, you can’t play a 40-minute game based on emotion. You’ve got to play on an even keel. I think we found that even keel in the second half and were able to maintain it throughout. We can grow a whole lot, we’ve got to get the assist numbers up, the turnovers down, be more consistent with the rebounding. Maybe we can pick up a few more things from a few more people as well. It feels good and this team has worked very hard, they deserve a championship, they deserve many championships. We’ve been so close at the ACC Tournament, that’s been frustrating, but that’s a little too far ahead. We’ve got another game across the way and that’s what’s next for us.”
Senior Joy Cheek
On winning an ACC regular season championship as a senior:
“It’s special. It’s great to do it again, especially as a senior. I’m really looking forward to the ACC Championship and beating Carolina at home would be great. We’ve got to move on to the next games, but it’s nice to do this as a senior.”
On how it felt to walk off the court on senior night:
“I still don’t think of this as the last game. I think the last NCAA game that we have will resonant a little more. I felt like I was coming back after tonight. That was the mindset that I had. I guess I’ll have another senior night.”
Freshman Allison Vernerey
On fitting into the team:
“You never what your role and your position is going to be when you arrive, but I was coming here to give whatever I have to give. That is just what I’m trying to do.”
Junior Jasmine Thomas
On getting excited to play Virginia:
“I don’t think so, not anymore than for any other game. It is nice to play against Monica [Wright] and [Paulisha] Kellum, and [Ariana] Moorer because I know them from home.”
Jasmine Thomas went behind her back during a steal and layup, then lofted a perfect alley-oop pass to a teammate. Everything was coming easy for her and for Duke - just as it seemingly always does during NCAA tournament games at home.
The Blue Devils led 40-14 at halftime and were never threatened after that in extending their dominance at Cameron Indoor Stadium, where their only loss since 2008 came earlier this season to top-ranked Connecticut. They've won 13 straight NCAA tournament games here, and the average margin of victory in the first 12 was 27.
It took the Blue Devils a few minutes to get rolling, but not because they were rusty after being off for two weeks following their first Atlantic Coast Conference tournament title since 2004.
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