GREENSBORO -- The making of one of the Cameron Crazies' favorite gestures--the Frankenstein-like gesture denoting sloppy play--by an official brought smiles of relief to the Blue Devils' faces.
Virginia's Liz Sahin took an inbounds pass from Karen Jaeger with 6.4 seconds left and her team trailing 70-67. She drove two steps from the corner, pulled up her dribble and started dribbling back to the three-point line, as she realized that she needed three points to tie.
Across the floor, the official's arms went out and moved up and down, signaling a double-dribble and all but sealing a 71-67 victory Sunday for No. 4 Duke (26-3, 17-0 in the ACC) in the ACC Tournament semifinals.
With 4:23 left in the game, Virginia (17-12, 9-8) trailed 57-39. At that point, the Cavaliers implemented a press. The Blue Devils attempted to pass over the press, but this resulted in turnovers on three of Duke's next four possessions.
"We built up a pretty decent lead," said Duke coach Gail Goestenkors. "I figured we were on the verge of putting them away, but [we] made a couple of mistakes in a row that gave them some good looks, [they] hit some baskets and then you could just feel the momentum shift."
Although Duke was struggling with the press, Virginia was scoring with ease. The Cavaliers scored on all 14 possessions between when Duke took its biggest lead of 18 and Sahin double-dribbled.
"We stopped playing defense," Goestenkors said. "I don't think I felt the pressure of losing,
Telisha Quarles, who led Virginia with 19 points, drove for a layup to bring the Cavaliers within two at 67-65 with 15.1 seconds left. After a timeout, Alana Beard, who led Duke with 20 points and eight rebounds, but six turnovers, was fouled and hit both her foul shots.
Brandi Teamer hit two foul shot, bringing her to 12 points for the game. Duke senior Krista Gingrich was sent to the line after a quick foul with 9.6 ticks remaining. Gingrich's first free throw glanced over the front of the rim, hit hard off the back and bounced wide of the basket. Her second shot followed the same track, but after two bounces, dropped through the twine.
Virginia raced past halfcourt and called timeout to set up the play that ended with Sahin's turnover.
"I think we stayed really composed and I think we showed a lot of character," Quarles said. "We were playing with a top-five school today and we aren't too far behind them."
Earlier in the game, Duke continued the lackluster offensive play that it exhibited in defeating Florida State 82-66 Friday. In both games, the Blue Devils shot poorly and did not move effectively off the ball. Both opponents had success at hampering Duke's half-court offense with zone defenses. Beard (23) and Iciss Tillis (21) led Duke in scoring in the first-round game.
Against Virginia, Tillis was less effective. She connected
"Because you always want to be out there when it's crunch time, and for me to not be out there helping my team, it saddened me," Tillis said. "But I can't look at this, I have to get over it and move on."
Although the starters struggled for much of the game, Duke's bench made enormous contributions. Wynter Whitley played much of the game at center and was the second-leading scorer with 13. She made innumerable hustle plays--dives for balls, drawn offensive fouls, offensive rebounds and tough drives to the basket.
"She was the MVP for us for the game, because of her defense" Goestenkors said. "Her defense was outstanding. I don't know if people can appreciate all that she did defensively, but she was incredible."
Sheana Mosch, who scored 11 points to go along with two offensive rebounds and a steal, had one of her best games of the year as she played 28 minutes.
"It's about time I start playing well again," she said. "I've gone through a very, very long slump. It's just been a trial that God's been putting me through. I know that He's going to get me through this, whenever it's needed most, I just need to stay faithful and stay positive, and I believe I'm coming out of it."
With the win, Duke advances to face No. 19 North Carolina, who defeated N.C. State 58-52, in the ACC finals at 7:30 today.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Sign up for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.