On Senior Night, Duke wasn't just focused on winning. There wasn't much need, really; Duke's 88-55 victory over Florida State wasn't even as close as the 33-point margin of victory.
Actually, Thursday night's contest bore a closer resemblance to an intrasquad scrimmage than a competitive conference matchup. Every Blue Devil enjoyed herself, as each took part in what amounted to Krista Gingrich's going-out party, during which some basketball was played.
Dedicating the evening to its lone senior, the seven other Blue Devils wrote the initials "KG" upon their arms in royal blue ink. After Gingrich's final introduction for a regular-season game in Cameron, Duke then took the floor with zeal.
The Blue Devils quickly opened a double-digit lead, whereupon backdoor alley-oop layups quickly became the norm, rather than the exception.
Spectacular plays were commonplace, as were euphoric celebrations.
After stealing an inbounds pass, junior Sheana Mosch raced downcourt, fought off a Seminole defender's attempt at a thorough mugging and shot a layup over her head without looking.
When the ball dropped through the basket, a stunned Mosch smiled with arms outstretched as four Blue Devils rushed to embrace their teammate.
The game grew so out of hand that sophomore Iciss Tillis watched the first half's final minutes with legs crossed and a towel wrapped around her neck in scarf-like fashion. She looked like a bemused observer, not at all resembling a winded athlete.
Conference games are not supposed to be filled with giggling. The laughter, however, continued into the post-game press conference. Even Duke coach Gail Goestenkors' usual stoicism dissipated in the face of her players' enthusiasm.
"This is a joy to coach this team and to be with this team," she said. "They make me laugh everyday."
Recognizing it was their senior captain's final regular-season home game, the Blue Devils also waxed nostalgic.
"I think it is the dream season," Gingrich said. "I think even if I would not play a minute on the court, it would still be my dream season because I have seven players around me that I love with all my heart. They are like my sisters."
Her coach joined in.
"I'm proud of Krista," Goestenkors said. "She's always, always been such a positive person for our team. Whether it was from the bench or on the floor, she's always done whatever has been asked of her, and done it in a first-class manner."
When asked to reflect upon the team's rough beginning to the season, during which the Blue Devils started 3-2 including a loss to lowly Toledo, Gingrich poignantly quoted Friedrich Nietzche.
"I guess Othat which did not break us made us stronger,' so we should be the strongest team in the country right now," she said. "We persevered through the hard times, and overall we just became a closer, tighter team, and it shows out on the floor."
Even with the tender moments of contemplation, Thursday night will still be remembered for its raucously fun environment.
After Alana Beard shook hands with Goestenkors in a postgame ceremony honoring the sophomore's 1000th career point, Gingrich took the microphone and approached the Blue Devil faithful.
"You guys are the best sixth woman in the country," she said.
The crowd roared in delight.
Duke's lone senior then addressed the stadium one more time, pointing up toward the three national championship banners won by the Blue Devil men.
"I just have one more question for you," Gingrich said. "How many of you guys think that a blue banner is going to be up there next to those three white ones? It's going up there this year."
Everyone screamed and applauded. On this night, the Blue Devils could be brash, cocky and pretty much anything else they wanted to be.
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