Duke Routes Liberty for Sun Splash Shootout Championship

Box Score

Nassau, The Bahamas --- The #17 ranked Duke women's basketball team won the championship game of the Sun Splash Shootout on Tuesday with a 66-45 victory over Liberty University. Senior Peppi Browne led the way for the Blue Devils as she was named M.V.P. after posting her second double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds. For the tournament she scored 20 points, had 15 rebounds, four assists, five steals, and shot 9-of-19 from the field.

Duke led 28-17 at the half before junior Georgia Schweitzer got on fire scoring 15 of her game-high 20 points in the second stanza to pace the Blue Devils. This marks the ninth straight victory for Duke (10-1) as they head home for a seven-day layoff for Christmas break before suiting up again on Dec. 28 at home against George Mason.

Schweitzer was named to the All-Tournament team after totaling 35 points in two games. Other highlights for the Blue Devils include Sheana Mosch (9 points, 3 steals), Krista Gingrich (8 points, 3 rebounds), Lauren Rice (7 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists), and Michele Matyasovsky (5 points, 2 rebounds).

The Blue Devils shot 46% from the field in the second half and 45% for the game. Liberty (5-5) was led by Sharon Wilkerson with 19 points. Duke forced 25 Liberty turnovers on the night and outrebounded the Flames 45-21.

Duke will host George Mason on Dec. 28 at 7:00 PM in Cameron Indoor Stadium.


Team     1st   2nd  Final
Duke     28    38   66
Liberty  17    28   45

Fouls:      Duke 18, LU 20
Assists:    Duke 18, LU 7
Turnovers:  Duke 23, LU  25
Blocks:     Duke 1, LU 3
Steals:     Duke 14, LU 6