Bales Leads Blue Devils To 107-37 Victory Over Anderson

Sunday, November 5

Durham, N.C.

2:00 p.m.

Duke University

107

Anderson University

Goestenkors Heads Home To Michigan For Tilt Against Wolverines

Bales Leads Blue Devils To 107-37 Victory Over Anderson

11/5/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. ? The sixth-ranked Duke Women's Basketball Team opened the 2006-07 campaign with a 107-37 exhibition victory over Division II member Anderson University on Sunday in Cameron Indoor Stadium. Senior Alison Bales led five Blue Devils in double-figures as the 6-7 center tallied 20 points, 10 rebounds and eight blocks in 21 minutes.

The Blue Devils scored the opening point of the contest at the 18:59 mark with a free throw by junior Wanisha Smith, but Anderson came back to take its only lead of the game, 2-1, just 51 seconds later. Duke responded by going on a 26-0 run led by eight points and two steals by sophomore Abby Waner. Latrice Thomas nailed a three-pointer at the 10:43 mark to cut the Blue Devil lead to 27-5.

Duke went on another large run, 21-3, over the next six minutes and then junior Emily Waner closed the half with three treys during the last two minutes to give the Blue Devils a 63-14 halftime advantage.

The Blue Devils shot 46.0 percent from the field in the first stanza led by Abby Waner's 10 points. A native of Highlands Ranch, Colo., Waner also grabbed three steals and three offensive rebounds in the first half. Of the 10 Duke players who saw action during the first 20 minutes, nine scored. As a team, the Blue Devils forced 25 turnovers and had 34 points off turnovers.

Duke scored the opening bucket of the second half at the 19:37 mark on a free throw by sophomore Carrem Gay to extend their lead to 50 points at 64-14. The Blue Devils then used a 24-14 run over the next 12:55 to take a 60-point lead at 88-28. Duke would score 19 of the game's final 28 points to cap the 107-37 victory.

Bales led the Blue Devils with 11 second half points and added five blocks and five boards after halftime. Redshirt freshman Brittany Mitch scored all eight of her points in the second half and added five rebounds.

Abby Waner finished with 16 points on 7-of-13 shooting to go along with five rebounds, four steals and two assists. Emily Waner and freshman Bridgette Mitchell added 11 points each while freshman Joy Check chipped in 10. Mitch, redshirt freshman Keturah Jackson, Smith and senior Lindsey Harding tallied eight points apiece while Gay collected seven points and eight rebounds in the win.

For the game, Duke posted 13 blocks, 29 steals and forced 45 turnovers. As a team, Duke shot 42.0 percent from the field and held the Lady Trojans to 23.9 percent shooting. The Blue Devils held a 48-4 advantage in points in the paint and scored 53 points off of 45 Anderson turnovers.

The Blue Devils will next host Premier Players on Thursday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. to close out exhibition action. Duke will open the 2006-07 regular campaign on Nov. 11 versus Northeaster with a 2 p.m. tip time.