In loss against NC State, Duke women's basketball struggled with late-game execution

RALEIGH— Sometimes, there’s only so much you can do. 

After a rollercoaster of a game between No. 10 Duke and No. 14 N.C. State that at different points saw both teams take double-digit leads, it was clear things were going to come down to the wire. While the Blue Devils had shot an impressive 53.8% from three in the first half, their third- and fourth-quarter performance left something to be desired. As foul trouble mounted and Wolfpack star Aziaha James exploded for a whopping 15 points on her own in the final period, things slipped away from the visitors looking for a big-time ranked win on the road. 

In an incredibly close game that came down to the final minutes, it was ultimately the group that has simply seen more minutes of college basketball that left with the 89-83 win. The youthful Duke team that has struggled at times to win on the road couldn’t make the shots that mattered down the stretch, and that made the difference.

“They are an excellent team, very complete, and obviously have a ton of experience,” head coach Kara Lawson said after the game. “And I thought that experience showed itself late.”

While N.C. State clung to a one-possession lead at several moments late in the game, the inexperience of the Blue Devils shined through. After what had been an excellent second quarter for guard Ashlon Jackson, she missed several open opportunities down the stretch to tie the game or take the lead. When forward Jordan Wood found herself in the corner and tried to pull up from deep to cut the lead, a whistle blew the ball dead — her foot was out of bounds.

“Down the stretch they made the shots they needed to. And we got open once we didn’t,” Lawson said. “Sometimes the game’s as simple as that.”

Even Jackson, a junior, had some tough moments during this one. While she drained six threes over the course of the game and totaled 23 points, she went 0-for-3 during the final quarter. When James was at the line to shoot free throws after being fouled on the perimeter, she missed her final shot. But again, a whistle blew: Jackson had committed a lane violation, and James made sure not to miss again. 

Indeed, much to Lawson’s dismay, foul trouble was a major issue for the Blue Devils. Starting guard Reigan Richardson fouled out despite only playing a little more than eight minutes, and in total, Duke racked up 22 on the night compared to just 13 for the Wolfpack. It was especially problematic late in the game, like giving up three free throws to an already hot James. N.C. State center Lorena Awou also found herself at the line a few times late, as the Blue Devils gave up a few sloppy and-one opportunities. The physicality also forced Lawson to dig deeper into her bench, giving rotation players a lot more time on the floor and exhausting her roster. 

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