Women's basketball nips Wolfpack in close contest

17-1, a new Duke record.

Last night's record-setting 62-59 victory over the N.C. State Wolfpack (11-6, 2-5 in the ACC) certainly did not come easily. In fact, the outcome came down to a play that had not even been run yet this season.

"I guess if you are a fan, you have to love coming to our games," coach Gail Goestenkors said. "Everything goes down to the wire, at least lately."

With 21.8 seconds remaining in regulation, Duke (17-1, 5-1) prepared to inbound the ball. The score stood at 60-59.

The previous attempt to get the ball in had proved futile, as none of the Blue Devils were able to break loose from their defenders.

"The first inbounds play we wrote during the timeout," Goestenkors said. "It was a double screen for Georgia [Schweitzer]. If she didn't get open, Missy [West] was going to come off the double screen as well. Neither player was open."

The safe route failed, so Duke went for the aggressive. A play called Black Back. This was the first time an opponent saw the play this season, but N.C. State is not likely to forget it anytime in the near future.

Schweitzer made a quick cut and got a step ahead of the Wolfpack's Nanna Rivers. Sheana Mosch threw a pass that looked doomed for interception, until it reached a leaping Schweitzer, who never broke stride.

The ball flew out of bounds, and the Wolfpack called a timeout to set up the last shot of the game.

N.C. State ran a double screen. The Wolfpack inbounded the ball, and then swung it to Amy Simpson. Duke picked up the screen, and Iciss Tillis swung over to cover Simpson. The 6-foot Simpson had no chance of shooting over 6-4 Tillis. She adjusted her shot in the air but missed badly.

"We were in a switching defense," Goestenkors said. "We switch on every single screen. We expected a double screen, and we knew that they needed a three. Fortunately Iciss ended up with the shooter, because she had a couple of inches on her."

The missed three did not end the game. Expecting her shot to miss, Simpson immediately charged the hoop. She got her own rebound, and quickly threw up a shot.

Mosch grabbed the rebound off the miss with and was fouled with 1.1 seconds remaining on the clock. She missed the one-and-one, but that was enough to end the game and seal the Duke victory.

The No. 5 team in the nation knocking off the 22nd-ranked team might not sound very impressive, but the Blue Devils overcame a potentially dangerous problem to pull out the victory.

Duke led 34-28 at the break, but came into the half with a significant disadvantage. On the final play of the half, Duke's leading scorer Alana Beard stole the ball from Rivers, who immediately fouled her.

While nothing appeared wrong when Beard got up, she badly missed the front end of a one-and-one.

Beard, who played all 20 minutes of the first half, would not return after the break.

Goestenkors was not aware of the extent of the injury at the conclusion of the game, but stated that the injury was to Beard's right thumb. She was taken to Duke Hospital where she was treated by a hand specialist.

Beard's absence was noticeable in the second period, as the Blue Devils frequently struggled in their half-court offense.

"Alana plays a lot of minutes for us and we are used to her movement," Goestenkors said. "I think we were standing around and watching a little bit. She creates so well for herself and her teammates. We need to be able to create for one another."

Fortunately for the Blue Devils, Schweitzer stepped up in her teammate's absence. The senior point guard scored only two points in the first half, but she rebounded to get nine in the second, including the layup that sealed the victory.

"Georgia is someone who is very patient," Goestenkors said. "She is not going to force things. They were face-guarding her, and they did a great job. In the second half she was a little more aggressive and looked to shoot the ball more."

Schweitzer's timing proved brilliant, and the Blue Devils opened up to the best start in program history.