PK Sport - Raleigh Sports Examiner

Friday, March 2, 2012

ACC WBB Tournament In-Game: #1 Duke Blue Devils vs #9 NC State Wolfpack

ACC WBB Tournament: NC State upsets Duke 75-73, advances to semi-final

The ninth-seeded NC State Wolfpack (18-14) continued to make headlines as they held off the two-time defending Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) champion Duke Blue Devils (24-5), in a 75-73 victory on Friday that landed them.

In-Game notes:

The top-seeded Duke Blue Devils play their first game in the 2012 ACC Women's Basketball Tournament and will take on the #9 seed, the NC State Wolfpack.

The Wolfpack are coming off an emotional 74-71 come-from-behind victory over Florida State on Thursday.

The all-time Tournament series between both teams sits in NC State's favor, 5-3, with Duke notching the most recent win, 70-60, back in March 2010.

However, Duke has won 24 out of the last 28 games, and 16 of the last 17 games between the two teams.

Should be a great one for Triangle-area and ACC basketball fans to watch.

Duke warms up before tip-off - Peter Koutroumpis, PKS Consulting LLC

Tip-off in 10 mins.

1st half:

Duke gets the tip but NC State steals the ball and goes down as Bonae Holston puts NC State up early 2-0

NC State scores the first basket vs Duke - Peter Koutroumpis, PKS Consulting LLC

Chelsea Gray comes back down and hits a two-pointer near the line to tie it up 2-2
After the Wolfpack can't convert, Shay Selby comes down and hits a short jumper to extend the lead
Holston returns with a bucket of her own and it's tied with 17:43 to play
Elizabeth Williams gets her first block of the game on Myisha Goodwin-Coleman's shot attempt
Duke can't score on its possession and Goodwin-Coleman hits a three and the Wolfpack leads by three points, 7-4
NC State working the ball on the offense as Duke is in single coverage, but they take an offensive foul
Gray takes a three-point attempt but it hits the front of the rim and Goodwin-Coleman does the same thing at the other end as Gray grabs the rebound
Gray comes down and drives the lane and is fouled by State's Marissa Kastanek - Wolfpack still leads 7-4 with 15:07 to play in the half
Gray at the line after the timeout - she misses them both and NC State gets the ball
Duke begins the press to try to force NC State to turn it over - they do, but Kastanek steals it back and scores an easy lay-up
At the other end, Williams scores on her own lay-up but misses on the bonus FT she got on the play - still a three-point game in NC State's favor 9-6 with 13:53 to go
Shay Selby comes down and misses a shot but Kody Burke extends the Wolfpack lead to seven with a three-pointer after Goodwin-Coleman scored on a FT - Wolfpack leads 13-6
Selby hits her next attempt and cuts the lead to five which is then followed up by a lay-up from Williams - NC State now leads 13-10 with 12:15 to play
The Wolfpack's Holson drops a jumper and State stays in control of the lead
Williams is getting double-teamed inside and having trouble finding room to move in the paint - Wolfpack leads 15-10 with 11:09 to go
Duke inbounding as Gray gets it to Allison Vernerey and Gray gets it back and scores beyond the arc as the shot clock runs down
State misses on their possession and Tricia Liston drives the lane and score but now basket - offensive foul
Goodwin-Coleman misses a long one and Gray drives to the basket and draws the foul - she hits 1-2 at the FT line
Holston extends the lead to three, but Haley Peters erases it with a three - 17-17 with 9:32 to play
NC State takes the lead again on a lay-up from Holston
Duke can't score on its possession and the Wolfpack looks to continue building on its 19-17 lead
After Duke gets it back, both teams trade baskets from Emili Tasler and Vernerey
The scoring continues with a three from Kastanek and a two from Selby - NC State leads 24-21 with 6:57 to go in the half
The Blue Devils have the ball and find Liston open who hits her first three-pointer of the game
The Wolfpack answers back with two and still keep the lead, 26-24
Duke misses and gets offensive rebounds until Gray scores two
The Wolfpack not letting up and score another basket from Erica Donovan
Liston tries to penetrate but Tasler is in her face and no calls to be made
NC State still leads but the Blue Devils force a turnover to move the ball down the floor
Vernerey goes up for the lay-up but is fouled - will be shooting for with Duke still trailing by three points 29-26 with 3:59 to go in the half
After the timeout, Vernerey drops one of two from the line
Gray steals the ball for an easy two points and she does it again but can't hold on to it
NC State's Tasler forces the turnover and the Wolfpack score two
Gray gets th ball again and ties the game up 31-31
Kiana Evans scores a lay-up and the follow-up FT to put State up 34-31
Gray keeps her hot hand and shortens the lead to one and helps to turn it over as Williams gets the rebound on State's missed attempt
Gray drives to the paint and is aggressively fouled and goes to the floor
She scores both from the FT line and Duke now leads 35-34 with 1:59 to play
NC State has possession and the Blue Devils foul off the ball - Wolfpack scores from the FT line as Donoavan drops both shots to retake the lead 36-35
With the Wolfpack pressing, Duke trying to find the open shot
Scheer tries and misses but it's rebounded by Ka'lia Johnson
The Blue Devils work the ball inside to Williams who scores a lay-up to regain the lead 37-36 with 47.4 seconds to go
Duke with the ball and working to eat up the clock but Burke takes its from Johnson at half-court but the Wolfpack doesn't score
Johnson turns it over again, but Selby helps to contain the ball at half court as time runs down
At the half, Duke leads NC State 37-36

2nd half:

Duke starts with the ball s Peters inbounds it to Gray
NC State still in a single-coverage defense against the Blue Devils and playing aggressive in the paint
Scheer scores tow from the FT line to put Duke up by three early
Kastanek and Tasler working the ball inside to Burke whose lay-up attempt is blocked by Williams
The Blue Devils push the ball up the floor quickly and Selby finishes it on a tip pass from Williams - Duke leads 41-36 with 18:44 to go
The Wolfpack works it inside and Kastanek gets an open shot and scores to narrow the Duke lead to three points
Selby gets fouled and scores two from the FT line to put Duke up by five but Holston comes down to score a baby jumper
Williams gets two chances and rebounds but can't score
The Wolfpack comes back but a shot attempt hits the iron which is follow up by another missed attempt from Kastanek
Duke building up its fouls against in the paint and State goes to the line as Krystal Barrett scores two points from the FT line - Duke leads 43-42 with 16:57 left
With just as much traffic under the NC State basket, Williams gets some time on the FT line but can't drop them
Teams trading possession on turnovers and steals before Holston puts State ahead 44-43 at 15:42
Williams hits two and Duke now leads
Liston manages to keep the ball is after Holston was denied by Williams and passes it to Selby
Selby gets it back to Liston who hits her first three-pointer of the half that puts the Blue Devils ahead 48-46
Tasler scores a on a streaking lay-up play and the score is tied at the 14:20 mark
State tries to trap Duke at mid-court and Liston misses a three-point attempt but Williams tips the rebound out-of-bounds - score is tied 48-48 with 14:01 to play
NC State inbounds and Tasler brings it up but Selby picks it off her and feeds Gray for the easy lay-up in transition
Duke causes another State turnover and take it up the court and look inside to Williams who scores while triple-teamed - lead is 52-48 for the Blue Devils
State can't score again and Selby turns it over and Selby finds Gray open again who puts another two points to extend the lead to six points - their largest lead of the game - 54-48
Duke spreading the defense to force the Wolfpack to make long passes and causes another turnover
The Blue Devils don't score on their drive and Holston comes down to score for the Wolfpack
Liston gets two points in the paint and still keeps the lead - 56-50 with 11:11 to play
Gray inbounds from the baseline to Selby who looks to Peters, but she's called for traveling
The Wolfpack trying to get back the energy and tempo with which it started with during the first half
Kastanek gets it started with a fake left and a score to the right on the lay-up on Scheer
Gray gets call for the charge and he Wolfpack gets a hard-earned basket from Tia Bell - Duke lead is only two points - 56-54
Scheer changes that with a score from under the basket and gets a FT for her effort to boot
Scheer misses it and the Blue Devils lead is 58-54 with under 10 minutes to play
The Wolfpack's Burke scoops one in from the lane and give her team life after they cause Duke to turn it over
Tasler makes it payoff as State now takes the lead with her successful three-pointer - Wolfpack leads 59-58 with 8:36 to play
The Wolfpack boxes out on the defensive glass and gets the ball back but can't produce anything from it
Selby brings it up for Duke and Vernerey eventually gets it to score two points
At the other end of the floor, Vernerey grabs the rebound off Goodwin-Coleman's shot attempt and a scuffle for the ball finds the tall forward hitting the floor hard with her head - Duke leads by one with under eight minutes to play
The Blue Devils bring the ball up as Kastanek covers Liston closely and the ball works down to Johnson who has the ball intercepted
State can't score as Williams blocks a shot and Gray has the ball
She makes her own left to right move and she scores the lay-up - Duke leads 62-59 with 6;52 to play
Gray called for her second foul of the game and puts Goodwin-Coleman to the line
Both FT's are good and State only trails by one
Goodwin-Coleman takes it into her own hands, fronts Selby and drops a three-pointer to put State ahead 64-62 with 5:41 to go
Gray scores a FT and Duke now trails by one
State misses on their possession and Gray now brings it up but a missed shot gives State another chance
Tight Blue Devils defense shots off a pass to Kastanek
Peters misses a jumper and no rebound give State the opportunity for Holston to extend the lead to three points - 66-63 with 3:46 to play
Goodwin-Coleman at the line and she hits both and extends the lead to five points
Duke can't get a shot off and Kastanek comes back down to score again with a three - State leads 71-65 with 2:54 to play
Kastanek is fouled and a timeout is called
Kastanek hits both shots and the pressure is on Duke now
Gray misses on a three-point attempt and Duke continues to try to penetrate and Gray does it again, scoring two points - Wolfpack leads 73-67 with 2:21 to play
Duke presses deep but Goodwin-Coleman gets it to drive the lane before Vernerey blocks her shot
NC State keeps possession
Gray gets called for an off-ball foul - her third and sends Kastanek to the line
The NC State guard does not miss and the Wolfpack leads 75-67 - its largest lead of the day
The Blue Devils keep the ball moving trying to find the open shot and Liston hits it and coach Joanne McCallie calls a timeout - a five-point game now
Duke presses deep but State breaks it and Burke has the ball stripped and Duke has the ball again
Liston hits another three-pointer and Duke trails by two with 1:11 to go
Tasler and Goodwin-Coleman trhing to bring it up but Duke is doubling and tripling on the defense
A jump ball has it going State's way with 42.6 seconds left - Wolfpack leads 75-73
Duke forces state to turn it over and Gray and then Liston try to drive the lane - shot doesn't drop and the Blue Devils foul on the rebound attempt
Tasler misses her first with 15.9 seconds to play - and misses another - lead is still two for the Wolfpack - 75-73 with 12.8 seconds to play
Duke with the ball and control of the shot clock and the game here
State looking to trap in the middle but concedes the half-court - State fouls and Gray is shooting
Gray misses the FT and State has the ball with 1.8 seconds to play
Duke looking for the turnover on the upcoming inbounds
Holston inbounds to Goodwin-Coleman who is uncontested
That is it - State upsets #1 Duke and wins it

Final, NC State 75, Duke 73

ACC WBB Tournament In-Game: #4 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs #5 North Carolina Tar Heels

ACC WBB tournament: Georgia Tech eliminates North Carolina 54-53

The fourth-seeded Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (23-7) held off the fifth-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels (20-11) in a 54-43 victory on Friday in Greensboro, N.C. that advanced them into the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC...

The first of four quarter-final games to be played today at the ACC Women's Basketball Tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum on Friday, the Tar Heels take on a well-rested Yellow Jackets squad who earned a bye through the first round of play.

North Carolina carries momentum from a 49-point domination of the Clemson Tigers on Thursday and seek to move on in search of earning 'respect' as a top conference team in post-season play

At the half, Georgia Tech led by six points, 31-25 after a grinding and messy half of play that included 26 total turnovers from both teams.

In-Game notes:

2nd half:

With 11:09 to play, Georgia Tech holds a seven-point lead, 43-36 and the Tar Heels take a timeout to set up for the next sequence of play
The Tar Heels come up with a two-pointer from Tierra Ruffin-Pratt and the margin is cut down to five
The Yellow Jakckets' Dawn May gets those two back but not before She'la White hits a three - Gergia Tech leads 45-41 with 9:43 to go
Georgia Tech turns it over and Krista Gross inches the Tar Heels even closer with a lay-up
Gross grabs the defensive board on a missed Yellow Jackets shot and North Carolina pushes it up the court
Ruffin-Pratt misses a jumper and Georgia Tech goes the other way but the Tar Heels defense denies them a chance by turning the ball over
White comes down the lane and drives for two and ties the game, 45-45 with 7:30 to go
Georgia can't creat any offense against a tenacious Carolina single-coverage defense
Ruffin-Pratt hits a short jumper and the Tar Heels now lead 47-45
The Yellow Jackets finally score as Maye ties it 47-47
However, Ruffin-Pratt drives the lane, fakes right and goes left with the lay-up to retake the lead, 49-47
Ruffin-Pratt steals the ball on the ensuing GT possession and White comes down to score a lay-up and the Tar Heels now lead by four points, 51-47 with 4:05 to play
Georgia Tech still can't penetrate inside to score any points and take a timeout to talk it over
The Yellow Jackets get one back and score an additional FT from Tyaunna Marshall to cut the lead down to one
North Carolina can't add to their lead and the Yellow Jackets come back down the floor and score on an uncontested lay-up from Marshall and GT retakes the lead 52-51
Georgia Tech applying a full press to slow the North Carolina transition game down
No score from the Tar Heels but they deny the Yellow Jackets a shot and North Carolina has the ball back with 2:21 to play and trailing by one point
Chay Shegog finally gets a basket in the half to put the Tar Heels ahead again
Georgia Tech moves the ball around and Marshall finds space to drive and score to put GT ahead again, 54-53
White drive the lane and has a look but it doesn't drop and the Yellow Jackets push it down the court quickly
Georgia Tech has the ball and North Carolina almost gets possession but the Yellow Jackets save it from going out of bounds
24.5 seconds remain and Georgia Tech has possession - expect North Carolina to foul soon to get the ball back
After a timeout, the Tar Heels look on the Yellow Jackets quickly as they press hard
A big denial on the drive as Broomfiled swats a lay-up away from Metra Walhour
Walthour gets the ball back and drives again and misses - foul on the ensuing loose ball play and North Carolina has the ball down by one with 6.7 seconds left to play
Ruffin-Pratt inbounds to White who is fouled and the ball stays with the Tar Heels on the sideline
They inbound again and a scramble along the line still keeps the ball in North Carolina's possession with 2.7 seconds left
North Carolina with one last chance as Ruffin-Pratt inbounds
She tries to throw it to Shegog but it is deflected out-of-bounds with one second on the clock remaining - officials go to the table to review possession and time left on the clock to start play
Clock is reset to 1.5 seconds - Ruffin-Pratt inbounds to Brittany Rountree who takes a long three-point attempt and the ball hits the front of the rim - no foul called on the play
That is it as Georgia Tech survives and advances to the semi-finals to play the winner of #1 Duke/#9 NC State

Final: Georgia Tech 54, North Carolina 53

Thursday, March 1, 2012

ACC WBB Tournament In-Game: #8 Florida State Seminoles vs #9 NC State Wolfpack

ACC WBB Tournament: Wolfpack comes back to stun Seminoles, 74-7

The ninth-seeded NC State Wolfpack (17-14) staged an emotional comeback and beat the eighth-seeded Florida State Seminoles (14-17), 74-71, during opening-round play at the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Women’s Basketball Tournament at...

In-Game Notes:

The #8 Florida State Seminoles take on the #8 NC State Wolfpack at the ACC Women's Basketball Championship taking place at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C. on Thursday afternoon.

The Seminoles come into tournament play led by the conference's top rebounder, Natasha Howard (9.4 rpg) and points leader, Cierra Brevard (13.1 pp) while State will look to attack FSU's defense led by Marissa Kastanek (12.9 ppg) and Bonae Hoston ( 12.1ppg).

NC State is 2-0 against Florida State in ACC Tournament play, having last met in the 2007 quarter-finals.

The Seminoles beat the Wolfpack 67-64 during the two teams' only meeting earlier this season back in January.

Winner will match-up with the current two-time ACC Tournament and recently crowned regular season champions, the Duke Blue Devils, on Friday.

Tip-off in 10 mins.

NC State comes out onto the floor - Peter Koutroumpis, PKS Consulting LLC

1st quarter:

Florida State wins the tip-off and looks to establish its offense early as Cierra Bravard scores the first basket of the game


#8 Florida State tips off against #9 NC State - Peter Koutroumpis, PKS Consulting LL	C

State has trouble in getting two different shots away during their possession and FSU transitions down the court but can't score - still 2-0 for FSU
State come back dwon and Myisha Goodwin-Coleman hits a three to put State ahead 3-2
The Seminoles come down and miss and Marissa Kastanek hits her first three-pointer - NC State leads 6-2
Bravard comes back down and it's now 6-4 with 17:15 to go
Kody Burke drops her first basket of the game and the Wolfpack leads 8-4
Florida State fights back and evens the score 8-8 with under 16 minutes to play
NC State playing man on the defense and the Seminoles can't drop a basket on three different attempts in the paint until Natasha Howard puts one down - FSU leads 10-8 with 14:13 to go
The individual battles going on are making this game out to be a tough, gritty one so far
Deluzio calling for it for the Seminoles and she drops one to extend the Seminoles lead to 13-8 with 12:35 remaining
Both teams trading baskets as State pulls to within five points as FSU lead 17-12 with 11:13 remaining in the half
Bravard gets a lay-up but is trumped by Kastanek's three-pointer as Florida State now leads 19-15
Florida State's offense still earning baskets against the Wolfpack single coverage defense as these two teams continue to battle - Seminoles lead 23-15 at the 8:40 mark
Deluzio drives the basket and gets the foul - she drops the FT and puts the Seminoles up 26-18
Not to be outdone, NC State's Goodwin-Coleman hits a three-pointer to shorten the lead to five - 26-21
State with possession comes up the floor - Burke misses a baby lay-up but gets her own rebound and finds Goodwin-Colemen but shot clock runs out
Bravard drives the basket at the other end and is fouled - she hits both FT's - Seminoles now lead 28-21 with 6:50 to play
The Wolfpack is making the Seminoles earn their points on the line and they oblige shooting 6-9 currently and leading by eight - 29-21
Great outlet pass by the Wolfpack's Emili Tasler to Kastanek on the fast break and she scores the easy lay-up - Pack trails by six with 5:47 to go
State switches the defense to zone and Natasha Howard hits a jumper and while State can't covert at the other end, Deluzio makes a baseline drive to score another two - FSU now leads 33-26
FSU applying the zone defense as well but State's Kim Durham hits one from beyond the arc
Deluzio has another shot to hit a three, but steps out-of-bounds
NC State sets its offense up and Tasler inbounds - FSU has switched back to single coverage and Bonae Holston fights for two points and the foul - she misses the FT
Florida State scores two straight baskets sandwiching a State turnover - now lead 38-28
Holston scores again and the FSU lead is at eight - 38-30 with 2:18 to play
After the Seminoles can't score on their possession, the Wolfpack moves the ball around and Durham finds an open Kastanek who scores on the play, gets fouled and drops the FT - cuts the FSU lead to five
However, the Seminoles come back with a basket from Chastity Clayton - the Seminoles now lead 40-33 with 1:15 to go in the half
State working hard to get another basket as the half is drawing to an end, and they do as Tia Bell narrows the lead to 40-35
One last possession by the Seminoles allows Clayton to push the lead back up to seven at the half

At the half: Florida State 42, NC State 35

2nd Half:

NC State takes advantage of having first possession as Holston scores and FSU leads 42-37
Florida State working the offensive boards getting three chances to score as Bravard scores a lay-up in the paint - Seminoles now lead 44-37 with 18 minutes to play in the half
Deluzio hits a three-pointer and pushes the FSU lead to 10 points
NC State grinding to get a basket inside and get one on a nice inbound pass from Goodwin-Colemen to Kastanek
The Wolfpack takes advantage of a Seminoles turnover and Tia Bell scores an easy lay-up - FSU leads 47-41 with 16;44 to play
Kastanek hits a three and FSU can't convert and State's Goodwin-Coleman drops another three and we have a tie game - 47-47
Deluzio matches with a three to put the Seminoles back ahead 50-47 but Bell scores a jumper as the Wolfpack trails by one
Not to be outdone, Deluzio hits another three-pointer - FSU now leads 53-49 with 13:55 to go
Deluzio keeps the hot hand for Florida Staet as she drains another shot and FSU defends State effectively to deny a score - now lead 55-49
Wolfpack defense working hard to defend against penetration offense from Howard and an offensive foul by Bravard gives NC State the ball
Kody Burke hits a FT and we have a five-point game with just under 12 minutes to play
FSU throws it out of bounds and NC State has a chance to draw closer
The Seminoles' Bravard is subbed out as she earns her 4th personal foul - might open up the middle for the Wolfpack
NC State's Erica Donovan throws one up from beyond the arc and it's a two-point game
Tough rebounding underneath the basket after FSU can't score and Holston scores to even the score at 55-55 with 9:39 to play
Pack changes to a zone defense and denies any outside shot from the Seminoles and break up the court
Goodwin-Coleman drives the top of the lane and kicks out to Kastanek who has all day - hits it clean with three and NC State now leads 58-55 with 9:08 to play
Delzuzio drives and gets the lay-up to re-take the lead for FSU
The Wolfpack doesn't quit as Burke lays one up as well - Wolfpack leads 60-57
Bravard is back in and drops a FT to narrow the lead by one
NC State gets another two from Goodwin-Coleman
Bravard answers with a lay-up - NC State leads by one - 62-61 with 7:22 remaining
Wolfpack's Bell charged with an offensive foul on FSU's Howard and the score is tied 62-62
FSU can't score and now defends NC State looking to retake the lead - they do with Holston hitting an outside jumper
The Seminoles answer with a three-pointer from Howard and now FSU leads by one with 5:48 to go
Deluzio goes to the FT line and scores both - Seminoles lead 67-64 with 5:10 to play
Goodwin-Coleman answers with a three-pointer and the game is tied again with 5:02 left
NC State playing close man coverage and making Deluzio earn the lay-up that she just made
Howard is out for FSU and NC State has the ball trying to drive and tie the game trailing 69-67
Holston does just that as scores to tie it up 69-69 with 3:38 to play
FSU scores two to go ahead but with the drive to the basket FSU's Howard denies Holston the chance to tie it - FSU leads 71-69 with 2:39 to go
Full-court press by NC State forces FSU to throw it away - NCSU inbounds and sets up the offense
Goodwin-Coleman at the point, passes it off and gets it back but forces a shot that misses
The Seminoles can't convert on their possession and the Wolfpack gets a chance to tie it with under two minutes to play
Tasler hits at three and NC State leads 72-71 with 56.3 seconds left to play as Howard misses her shot
NC State comes down with Goodwin-Coleman driving the lane on her own and the Wolfpack now leads 74-71 with 38.7 seconds left to go
FSU with the ball and must hit a three to tie the game - they throw it out of bounds on the pass and must foul NC State to get it back
Donovan goes to the line for NC State - she misses and FSU has a chance to tie it
The Seminoles try to find Deluzio who gets an off-balance jumper off with no foul
NC State rebounds it and Kastanek carries up the floor and stops before the basket to let time run out

Final: NC State 74, Florida State 71

NC State moves on to face the #1 Duke Blue Devils on Friday afternoon at 3 p.m.

ACC WBB Tournament In-Game: #5 North Carolina Tar Heels vs. #12 Clemson Tigers

ACC WBB Tournament: North Carolina shuts down Clemson 90-51

The fifth-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels (20-10) handed the twelfth-seeded Clemson Tigers (6-22) a licking, 90-51, during the opening game at the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Women’s Basketball Tournament being played at...

In-Game Notes:

The 2012 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Women's Basketball Championship Tournament kicks off four days of exciting NCAA women's college basketball action at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C. beginning on Thursday.

The # 5 North Carolina Tar Heels begin their journey to the tournament final as they take on the #12 Clemson Tigers in the first game of the day.

The winner of this game will then meet the #4Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Friday.

Follow game action live here throughout the weekend.

Tip-off in 5 mins.

In-Game notes, photos, and more:

1st half:

ACC WBB Championship - North Carolina Tar Heels vs Clemson Tigers - Peter Koutroumpis, PKS Consulting

Right off the tip Chay Segog puts the Tar Heels ahead 2-0
Clemson comes right back with a basket of their own - 2-2
Carolina hits another two and regain the lead 4-2 with 18:36 remaining in the half
The Tar Heels go a on a run and are leading 9-4 with 16:52 to go
After a few trips up and down the court, both teams are still trying to establish some type of consistent offensive rhtyhm
Clemson battles to score a basket to narrow the Carolina lead to 9-6 with 15:23 to go
The Tar Heels Waltiea Rolle finally drops two in to extend the Tar Heels lead to 11-6 as both teams struggle to score buckets while playing a tight defensive game so far
Nikki Dixon drops the first three-pointer of the day for the Tigers as they inch closer and trailing by two - 11-9
North Carolina finally gets their first stable set offense of the day and move the ball around effectively to find Brittany Rountree open for a wide-open three-point shot
Tar Heels now lead the Tigers 16-11
The Tigers scores one at the FT line
Clemson defending with a 2-3 zone but North Carolina keeps the ball moving without missing a beat and Shannon Smith hits her first from beyond the arc and Carolina now leads 19-12
The Tigers turn the ball over on their possession and Tierra Ruffin-Pratt scores an easy lay-up and gets the foul call
Ruffin-Pratt doesn't score on the FT - Tarr Heels lead 21-12 with 9:55 to go
The Tigers' Dixon keeps her hot hand and scores a jumper just inside the line as Clemson now trails by eight - 22-14
Rountree drop another three-pointer and Clemson comes back with a lay-up
Rountree hits her second consecutive three and Carolina now leads 28-16 with 7:37 to go
On the ensuing possession Clemson turns the ball over on a five-second violation as Krista Gross' tight defense on Shaniqua Pauldo gives her no options to move the ball in time
Carolina still playing Clemson in single coverage forcing them to move the ball but the Tigers cannot generate any offense off the close individual coverage the Tar Heels are giving them
The Tar Heels add another lay-up from Ruffin-Pratt makes it a 15-point lead with 6:14 to go
North Carolina continues to find the open shot on the perimeter as Rountree hits yet another beyond the arc to extend the lead to 34-16
Carolina extends the lead to 20 points - 38-18 with 3:29 to go as the crowd is 'dancing for their dinner' - food promo


Dancing for you dinner promo - Carolina fans get into it - Peter Koutroumpis, PKS Consulting

Clemson scores one of two from the FT line but it is slow going for the Tiger offense against a Tar Heels team that looks to have this game under control so far
The shooting cools off a little for both sides as the half enters the final two minutes
Both teams taking points where they can find them as Carolina leads 44-21 with 1:08 to go
Carolina working to get more points in the paint but missing on easy conversions while Clemson keeps earning FT opportunities to try to put a dent into the Tar Heels' lead
With 25 seconds to go Carolina holds the ball for the final shot but Rountree misses a three but a 44-25 lead keeps the Tar Heels in firm control of this one going in the locker room

At the half: North Carolina 44, Clemson 25

2nd half:

Clemson start the half with the ball but still cannot generate enough speed and ball movement to effectively penetrate in the lane as Carolina continues to defend tightly
Ruffin-Pratt hits a jumper and the Tar Heels lead 46-25
Clemson gets two but on consecutive possessions the Tar Heels score as Shegog's move in the paint extends the lead to 50-27 - 17:41 to go in the half
Shegog is the center of attention for the Carolina offense this half as she's scored six points in the last three minutes
Rountree continues to shoot the lights out from three-point land and Carolina leads 57-29 with 15:28 to go
Both teams trade baskets and the score sits at 59-31 with 14:05 to go
Tar Heels continue to move the ball around the outside, in and outside again before Krista Gross hits a clean jumper - Carolina leads 61-33 with 13 minutes to go
On the in-bounds play, Rountree hits another three
As Clemson brings the ball upcourt, Danielle Butts makes a steal and scores an uncontested lay-up
The Tigers turn it over again and She'la White brings it up and feeds Butts who scores and gets the foul
Butts hits the FT and North Carolina now leads 69-33 with 11:53 to go
Butts continues to be the recipient of open opportunities in the paint and scores another two
Carolina is currently on a 12-0 run as Rolle puts one in under the basket - North Carolina leads by 40 - 73-33 with 9:52 to go
Rolle with another lay-up and Rountree with a another from beyond the arc and it's 78-35 for Carolina
Clemson players looking really winded as the Tar Heels continue to push the pace in transition
Carolina adds in a few more buckets from FT from Broomfield and a lay-up from Butts
Trailing 84-37, Clemson's Pauldo finds room under the basket to score - 4:56 to go
All Carolina starters have been sitting for a while now, but the bench is still getting it done
Tigers find some energy to work the ball in the paint to score and make a steal or two
Carolina lead 85-41 with 4:18 to go
Tigers' Kelly Gramlich steals the ball and drops two - Carolina leads by 52 right now - 85-43
As both teams work in their bench players the scoring pace has slowed as the Tar Heels lead stands at 88-51 with under a minute to play
As time winds down, Carolina scores one final basket from Butts

Final: North Carolina 90, Clemson 51

Friday, February 24, 2012

ACC WBB Action In-Game: #7 Duke Blue Devils vs #5 Miami Hurricanes

#7 Duke beats #5 Miami 74-64, locks up top seed in ACC

The #7 Duke Blue Devils (23-4, 14-1) won their final home game of the season with a solid 74-64 victory over the #5 Miami Hurricanes (24-4, 13-2) at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C...

The Battle for No. 1 seed in the ACC

#7 Duke (22-4, 13-1) hosts #5 Miami (24-3, 13-1)

Duke Blue Devils warm-up to face Miami Hurricanes - Peter Koutroumpis, PKS Consulting

Inside Duke

Record: 22-4, 13-1 ACC
Ranking: #7 (AP), #7 (Coaches)
Last Result: L, 61-63 at Maryland, 2-19-12
Up Next: at North Carolina 2-26-12
Head Coach: Joanne P. McCallie (5th Year)
Duke Record: 136-30 (5th Year)
Career Record: 452-178 (20th Year)

Inside Miami

Record: 24-3, 13-1 ACC
Ranking: #5 (AP), #5 (Coaches)
Last Result: W, 67-60 vs. Florida State, 2-19-12
Up Next: vs. Boston College, 2-26-12
Head Coach: Katie Meier (7th Year)
Miami Record: 124-92 (7th Year)
Career Record: 200-137 (11th Year)

Noting Duke

Over the last 11 games, Tricia Liston has scored double-figures only three times
Elizabeth Williams hit her first career three-pointer at Florida State
Allison Vernerey has played in a team-best 98 straight contests
Chelsea Gray’s 6.0 assists per game ranks No. 1 in the ACC and 12th nationally while Elizabeth Williams is fourth in rebounds (8.3) in the ACC
Haley Peters (50.6%) and Williams (48.8%) rank sixth and 10th, respectively, in field goal percentageGray is fourth in the ACC with a 1.8 assist/turnover ratio
Williams is averaging 4.3 blocks per game in ACC action, which leads the league

Noting Miami

Sixth-ranked Miami enters Friday’s contest with a record of 24-3 after collecting its 39 consecutive home victory Sunday in a 67-60 victory over Florida State
The Hurricanes are 13-1 in ACC play with the lone loss in conference action coming against North Carolina (65-63)
Shenise Johnson (16.7 points, 8.0 rebounds), Riquna Williams (16.2 points, 3.4 rebounds), Morgan Stroman (12.9 points, 6.5 rebounds) and Stefanie Yderstrom (10.5 points, 1.4 rebounds) are all averaging double-figure scoring for Miami
Head coach Katie Meier is in her seventh year at the helm of the program after earning ACC Coach of the Year honors last season
Meier garnered her 200th victory against Florida State

The seventh-ranked Duke Blue Devils (22-4, 13-1) host the fifth-ranked Miami Hurricanes (24-3, 13-1) at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. on Friday.

Duke enters Friday with a 29-game home court winning streak in ACC contests.

Duke has not lost an ACC contest at home since Maryland posted a 76-69 win on Feb. 17, 2008.

A win will lock up at least a share of the ACC regular season title for the third straight year.

A few additional notes to know about:

Duke will face Miami for the second straight year following a loss - Duke lost to UConn last year in the game before

Both Duke (6th, 13.0) and Miami (4th, 13.8) rank in the top 10 nationally in steals per game.

In the last nine home contests, Chelsea Gray has averaged 13.3 points, 7.2 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 2.9 steals. She has had a 2.6 assist/turnover ratio during those games.

Over the last four games, Duke has drained 31-of-68 three-pointers for a 45.6 percentage. The Blue Devils are hitting an ACC-best 38.1 percent from long range.

In the ACC, Tricia Liston ranks first in three-point field goal percentage (43.2), tied for fifth in three-point field goals made (1.6) and 23rd in scoring (10.9)

Duke has been in a shooting slump in the last two contests, hitting only 36.8 percent from the field and 30.8 percent from downtown. The Blue Devils have averaged only 64.0 points in those games

Duke’s four losses this season have come against No. 2 Notre Dame, No. 3 Connecticut, No. 8 Maryland and No. 7 Kentucky

In-Game notes, pictures, and video:

Duke warming up before hosting Miami - Peter Koutroumpis, PKS Consulting LLC

Miami warming up before taking on Duke - Peter Koutroumpis, PKS Consulting LLC

1st half:

Miami wins the tip to start the game
Chelsea Gray picks up the first steal of the game - only took about 15 seconds
Duke misses on that possession and Miami comes down and gets the first points of the game
Duke showing single-coverage defense and Miami hits their first three of the game - lead 4-0
Haley Peters hits first field goal for the Blue Devils - 4-2 with 17:59 to go
Duke can't score on their possession and Miami comes down and hits another three - now leading Duke 7-2
Miami showing single-coverage as well but Gray cracks it twice as Haley Peters steals the ball on the second play - Duke trailing by 1 with 16 minutes to play
After media timeout, Duke goes to press on the defense to force Miami to hurry up it's offense - Williams called for fould but Miami can't convert on either FT attempt
Selby comes down the other end to score two which Miami matches
Gray takes over with a no-look pass to Elizabeth Williams for an easy lay-up tp take the lead
Tricia Liston steals the ball at mid-court and dishes it to Gray who goes up for the lay-up - it's good and she gets the foul - Duke leads 12-9
Another steal and the Blue Devils head up-court and Williams gets a lay-up and the foul - she makes it and extends the lead to 15-9
Miami comes right back and shortens the lead to 15-12 with 13:40 to go
Liston hits her first three of the game at 13:11 - Duke leads 18-12
Miami can't convert as Duke's zone D is in effect and the Blue Devils head up-court
Allison Vernerey scores her first points of the game - lead is now 20-12 with 11:51 to go
Both teams pressing to force turnovers and Miami's Krystal Saunders forces Liston to the sideline
Just as quickly, the Blue Devils get the ball back and score - leading 24-12
After a long silence Miami's Stefanie Yderstrom hits a three - 24-15
Duke turns it over and Miami hits another field goal to get back into it
Miami slowing grinding away at Duke lead - 24-9 with 7:32 remaining
Hurricanes zone defense still allows Williams to score in the paint
Duke forcing Miami to try the outside shots - not dropping easily for the Hurricanes
Miami still traills by five - 26-21 with 5:22 left
Hurricanes can't score and Gray comes back with it and feeds Williams for two - 28-21
Miami answers with two and then Selby hits a short running jumper - 28-23
Williams continues to be a force in the paint and rebounds and scores while Selby and Gray do their part in the Duke zone
The Blue Devils go on a 6-0 run over the past 1:33 and now lead 36-25 with 2:11 remaining in the half
Duke with possession by Vernerey misses on her shot - Miami goes out of bounds
Scheer inbounds to Williams and she dribbles it up-court and scores on the lay-up
As the half ends, Duke leading 38-28 - shooting 55% with Williams leading all scorers with 13 points during the first half

2nd half:

Miami starts with the ball and drops two right away
Scheer answers back for Duke - now leading 40-30
Gray tries for three but doesn't get it but Riquina Williams scores a jumper for Miami
Selby answers back but then Williams hits a three for the Hurricanes - Duke now leading 42-35
Both teams trade baskets and its 44-37
Miami's Williams tries to drive the basket but is denied by Duke's Williams - Peters eventually gets it and Duke leads 46-37 with 15:27 to play
Hurricanes score another and Duke has a chance to match it but Scheer throws it away as she thought Williams would take it
Duke now leads 46-41
Miami slowing Duke's momentum a little and causing them to turn the ball over more with double and triple teams
Williams finally scores on a lay-up and gets the foul - misses on the shot
Hurricanes Yderstrom hits a long three to get to within five - 50-45
Gray brings it up-court but Vernerey forces her shot and misses
Miami misses their shot and gives Gray the chance to bring it up and she dishes it to Vernerey who doesn't miss that time
Duke now leads 54-47 with 11:15 to go
Peters rebounds and the Blue Devils score another two, leading 50-42 with 13:05 to play
Williams handling the ball more - gets ball to Vernerey but she doesn't see a shot
Gray gets it back off a tip and passes it to Liston who hits a three - Duke leading by 10
Miami definitely heating it up shooting 58% from the field during this half while Duke is still hitting shots at 46%
Williams now the force that Miami needs to contain as she gets another lay-up - Duke leads 61-51
Duke moving the ball inside-outside-inside well as Selby gets it for a short jumper - misses and gets he own rebound
Miami tries to get once back but can't as Duke rebounds and Gray comes down to score a lay-up
Blue Devils lead 65-53 with 6:01 to play
Duke doubles the ball in the backcourt and Miami throws it away
Vernerey pass it to Peters in the lane for an easy basket
Miami trying to claw back at the FT line - trailing 67-55
Another foul and another point for Miami with 4:16 to go
Hurricanes score another two as Williams drives the basket - lead now is 67-58 in Blue Devils' favor
Miami trying hard but not scoring baskets - Duke doesn't help its cause either
Hurricanes scoring from FT line and Duke then throws it away with 2:33 to go
Duke making a defensive stand but fouling and allowing Miami to inch closer
Liston gets triple-teamed on the inbound and gets it to Vernerey and it is deflected out - Duke gets it back
Williams can't score and Miami heads up-court and Bullock is fouled by Vernerey with Duke lead shrinking to three - 67-64
Gray drives the basket and scores two and gets the foul - now leading 69-64 with 1:13 left
Miami to inbound and Duke presses - as Williams goes up, she misses and there is a scramble - Miami gets the ball back
Hurricanes miss the three-pointer and Duke's Williams comes up with a huge rebound
Duke with a five-point lead with 51 seconds to play - Miami burning up fouls
Gray goes o the line with the one-and-one - she hits them both
Duke leads 71-64 with 33 seconds to play and Peters is fouled on rebound Miami's missed shot
FT is no good for Peters but Vernerey makes a huge block as Miami drives the basket - Liston comes up with the rebound
Duke leads 73-64 after Liston hits two FT's with 19 seconds left
Miami continues to foul and send Liston to the line who hits 1-2 - Duke leads 74-64 3.2 seconds left
That's it - Duke wins 74-64 and gets #1 seed in the ACC Tournament

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

ACC WBB Action In-Game: #5 Duke Blue Devils vs Virginia Tech Hokies

Blue Devils cage Hokies 67-45, lose Jackson early on

The #5 Duke Blue Devils (22-3, 13-0) contained the visiting Virginia Tech Hokies (7-19, 3-10) and earned their thirteenth consecutive ACC win by a score of 67-54 at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C...

In-game notes, photos, and video

Just under 20 minutes to go until tip-off in this ACC Women's Basketball match-up between the fifth-ranked Duke Blue Devils and the Virginia Tech Hokies at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C.

Warm-up: Duke vs Virginia Tech - Peter Koutroumpis, PKS Consulting

This is the 21st meeting between these two teams and the second this season.

Duke took the first game 61-34 that was played at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Va.

Duke currently leads the overall series, 18-2, winning the last 16 in a row.

Check-out more pre-game details here

Tip-off coming up soon with In-game notes to follow (hit refresh to get updates)

1st Half

Tip off - Peter Koutroumpis, PKS Consulting

Duke scores the first two points off the tip-off as Richa Jackson starts it off for the Blue Devils
The Hokies throw it away on their possession and Shay Selby connects on a short jumper - Duke leads 4-0 with 17:22 to play in the half
Virginia Tech scores their first points of the game - a long three-pointer off the glass
Haley Peters scores two and the Hokies turn it over after the FT rebound
Williams goes up for two and is hacked by four players and she goes to the line

Elizabeth Williams - Cheryl Treworgy - PrettySporty.com

Williams hits her shots and Duke leads 8-7 as the Hokies are riding the hot hand of guard Aerial Wilson
Tech continues to hit shots as Duke trails 13-9 with 14:33 remaining as coach Joanne P. McCallie calls a timeout
Tricia Liston subs in for Shay Selby and hits her first three immediately after the inbounds for Duke
Duke's Chelsea Gray steals a pass and goes up for the lay-up which is good and gets the extra shot - Duke back in the lead 14-13 at 14:01
Gray continues to score points from the FT line and drives the basket to get two more - Duke leads by four - 17-13
Hokies are shooting 60% from the field - perfect 4-4 from beyond the arc - trail the Blue Devils by five now - 21-6
Peters and Selby lead Duke with four points apiece
Hokies are led by Wilson's 11 points so far to keep them close to their hosts
Duke now leading 26-20 with 9:21 to go as Virginia Tech is turning the ball over and gets a few more points
Blue Devils forward Richa Jackson drives for the basket and goes down clutching her left knee as the game is halted to tend to her

Richa Jackson goes down - Cheryl Treworgy - PrettySporty.com

Liston hits two free throw and the Blue Devils now lead 28-20
Duke is shooting 10-11 from the FT line making the difference so far - even while shooting 40% from the field at the moment
Tech still playing the Blue Devils in single-coverage but falling prey to no-looks and dumps from Chelsea Gray to Elizabeth Williams
Blue Devils are strong on the boards tonight also helping to make the difference as they extend the lead to 34-22
Duke hasn't turned the ball over yet either
Blue Devils apply their press and zone defense which cause Tech to speed up their ball movement and causing them to turn the ball over
Virginia Tech has not had a FT all half as Duke is not being over-aggressive under their basket
Coach P adding some size as Williams, Peters, and Allison Vernerey are all out on the floor with two minutes remaining in the half and Duke leading by 10 - 34-24
Hokies' shooting has come back down to 39% making it tougher for them to keep pace with the Hokies
However, Duke's 36% shooting is allowing Tech to stay close - Duke leads 35-26 with 28.3 seconds to go in the half
Virginia Tech can't hit on their last possession and trail by nine at the half

After the 1st half: Duke, 35, Virginia Tech 26

Duke - 10-29 (34.5 %), Virginia Tech - 11-30 (36.6%)

Injury Update: Duke's Richa Jackson suffered a left knee injury - will not return to the game

2nd half

Haley Peters - Cheryl Treworgy - PrettySporty.com

Hokies miss on their firs possession to start the half before both teams trade lay-ups by Wilson and Williams
Virginia Tech is keeping a hot hand to start the half and only trail 39-33 with 16:41 left in the half
Big steal by Gray and long bounce pass to Selby is only halted short by a lay-up by Liston that doesn't drop - still lead by six
Williams getting triple-coverage in the paint - goes to the line for two shots and drops one out of two as Blue Devils lead 40-33 with 15:40 to play
Hokies still in it as Duke struggles from the field - shooting 40% right now and not connecting on their usual easy passes and scores
Peters drops a baby hook for two and Duke leads 42-35 with 12 minutes to go
Virginia Tech continues to use the passing lanes on the outside of the Duke zone to get long shots off
Duke leads by five - 42-37 after Tech gets their own rebound and timeout is called
Big defensive stand by the Blue Devils on the ensuing Tech possession
Liston comes up the court and hits her second three of the game (1st in the half) and puts Duke ahead 47-37
Duke turns it over but denies Virginia Tech again and then Liston lights up another one beyond the arc and extends the Blue Devils lead to 13 - largest of the game as Tech calls a timeout with 9:50 to go in the half
Looks like wider offensive set by Duke is spreading Tech defense and denying the double and triple-teams in the paint - allowing the lanes to open up
Blue Devils maintain tough defensive stance but foul and put Tech on the line - score first two points in over four minutes of play
Duke extends lead to 56-39 as Gray scores on successive possessions - 6:10 to play
Virginia Tech's shooting has returned with two consecutive three-pointers - now trailing by 11 - 56-45
Selby hits her first three-pointer of the game and Duke is up 61-45 with 3:00 to go

Tricia Liston - Cheryl Treworgy - PrettySporty.com

Liston drops two FT's after the timeout - 63-45 as both teams battle for a loose ball
Gray turns the ball over and sets up the offense to Williams who misses, but Liston gets the rebound
Back to Williams and she doesn't miss a second time as Duke now leads by 20 with under a minute to play
Liston extends the lead to 67-45 after two FT's
Tech continues to move the ball looking to score

Final Score: Duke 67 , Virginia Tech 45

Duke controls play during final minutes of play - Peter Koutroumpis, PKS Consulting LLC

Post-game comments: Duke Coach Joanne P. McCallie - Peter Koutroumpis, PKS Consulting LLC

ACC WBB News: Play 4Kay at Duke and more

Mural art in Cameron Indoor Stadium

Play 4Kay game at Cameron Indoor Stadium

#5 Duke (21-3, 12-0) hosts Virginia Tech (7-18, 3-9)

Series History: Duke leads 18-2

Inside Duke

Record: 21-3, 12-0 ACC
Ranking: #5 (AP), #5 (Coaches)
Last Result: W, 67-57 at Florida State, 2-12-12
Up Next: at Maryland, 2-19-12
Head Coach: Joanne P. McCallie (5th Year)
Duke Record: 135-29 (5th Year)
Career Record: 451-177 (20th Year)

Inside Virginia Tech

Record: 7-18, 3-9 ACC
Ranking: #NR (AP), #NR (Coaches)
Last Result: L, 60-64 vs. Boston College, 2-13-12
Up Next: vs. Virginia, 2-19-12
Head Coach: Dennis Wolff (1st Year)
VT Record: 7-18 (1st Year)
Career Record: 277-215 (18th Year)

Coming off a two-game road swing, the fifth-ranked Duke women's basketball team (21-3, 12-0 ACC) will host Virginia Tech (7-18, 3-9) on Wednesday.

As the reigning back-to-back ACC Champion, the Blue Devils are riding a 28-game home winning streak against ACC opponents and are one of only nine teams in ACC history that have opened league play with an 12-0 mark.

All fans attending the game are encouraged to wear pink for the Play 4Kay Initiative to help in raising awareness for the fight against breast cancer.

The Blue Devils will be wearing white uniforms with pink trim along with pink shoelaces for the game. All cancer survivors in attendance will be recognized during the contest.

Play 4Kay is a unified effort of a nation of coaches to assist in raising breast cancer awareness and funds for cancer research on and off the court.

The late Kay Yow, former North Carolina State University head women's basketball coach, served as the catalyst to this initiative after her third recurrence of breast cancer in 2006. Since its inception, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund has allocated $2.3M in research grants to nationally, renowned cancer centers.

Noting Duke...

Recent starting guard Shay Selby has hit 5-of-12 treys the last four games
Richa Jackson (57.3) ranks second in the league in ACC games only for field goal percentage, while ranking sixth overall (51.1)
Allison Vernerey has played in team-best 96 straight contests
Chelsea Gray's 6.2 assists per game ranks No. 1 in the ACC and 11th nationally while Elizabeth Williams is fourth in rebounds (8.4) in the ACC
Gray is tied for third in the ACC with a 1.9 assist/turnover ratio
Williams is averaging 4.7 blocks per game in ACC action, which leads the league

Noting Virginia Tech...

Virginia Tech enters Wednesday's contest with a 7-18 record following a recent 64-60 loss to Boston College
The Hokies are 3-9 in ACC play after notching wins over Clemson (55-33) and Boston College (38-35) in their first two league games
Monet Tellier (14.3 points, 4.7 rebounds) and Aerial Wilson (11.5 points, 2.2 rebounds) are both averaging double figures
Head coach Dennis Wolff is in his first year at the helm of the program after serving one season as the Director of Men's Basketball Operations & Assistant to the Head Coach for the Virginia Tech men's basketball program. Wolff was also previously the head men's basketball coach at Boston University (1994-2009)

Williams selected ACC Rookie of the Week for seventh time

For the seventh time this season, Duke center Elizabeth Williams was voted the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Rookie of the Week as announced on Monday.

The seven ACC Rookie of the Week honors this year for Williams has tied a Duke school record that was previous held by Alana Beard in 2000-01.

It is also tied for the third most in ACC history behind Monica Wright of Virginia (8 in 2006-07) and Tracy Connor of Wake Forest (9 in 1992-93).

Williams averaged 14.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.0 blocks, 2.0 steals and 1.7 assists while leading fifth-ranked Duke to victories over 22nd-ranked North Carolina, Boston College and Florida State.

With her 15 blocks on the week, Williams netted Duke's single season freshman record for blocks with 94.

Williams' efforts helped lead Duke to the ninth-best start in ACC league history with a 12-0 league record. Williams hit 47.4 percent of her field goals on the week while hitting 70.0 percent from the free throw line.

Looking to the future: Duke Selected One of 16 Host Sites For 2013 NCAA First & Second Rounds

The NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee announced the 2013 NCAA First and Second Round sites for the 2013 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship on Monday with Duke University earning one of 16 bids.

Duke will host the first and second rounds for the third time over the last four years.

The Blue Devils are riding a 16-game winning streak in NCAA Tournament games played in Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Duke owns an all-time record of 18-2 in NCAA Tournament contests played at home and has hosted games in Cameron 10 times out of 18 appearances.

Twenty-One Finalists In The Mix For Final 2012 U.S. Women’s Olympic Basketball Team Roster

Duke alum Lindsey Harding was named on Monday as one of 21 finalists for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Women’s Basketball Team.

The player selections were made by the USA Basketball Women’s National Team Player Selection Committee.

“Now that we’re down to 21 finalists, you look around and you see a group of players that have tremendous experience,” said Geno Auriemma, 2009-12 USA National Team and University of Connecticut head coach.

Harding, who is a 2007 Duke graduate and current member of the Atlanta Dream of the WNBA, was a 2007 Naismith National Player of the Year and WBCA Defensive Player of the Year for the Blue Devils.

She holds the Duke career record for assists with 579 and overall wins (128) from 2003-07.

Harding is one of only two student-athletes at Duke to have her jersey retired.

Recent news from the Raleigh Sports Examiner on Examiner.com:

Duke women still perfect with 67-57 win over Florida State

The #5 Duke Blue Devils (21-3, 12-0) continued their consecutive win streak in conference play with a 67-57 victory over the Florida State Seminoles (13-13, 5-7) at the Donald L. Tucker Center in Tallahassee, Fla...

#3 Duke men’s lacrosse tops Rutgers 16-8, Danowski gets 300th win

The #3 Duke Blue Devils started their season with a 16-8 win over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and helped coach John Danowski reach a career milestone at Koskinen Stadium in Durham, N.C. on Saturday afternoon.Midfielders Robert Rotanz...

Friday, March 2, 2012

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Friday, February 24, 2012

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

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