Duke Outworks Anderson University In 98-29 Victory

Thursday, November 6

Durham, N.C.

7:00 p.m.

Duke University

Anderson University (SC)

Duke Outworks Anderson University In 98-29 Victory

11/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball

By: Michael Tomko, GoDuke.com

DURHAM, N.C. ? Head coach Joanne P. McCallie talked before the season about how her team was going to be better, faster and stronger than their opponents this season, and in the Blue Devils first exhibition game of the season they were just that.

After trailing 8-2 early in the ball game, the Duke defense and offense settled down going on a 44-3 run over the final 18 minutes of the first half in a 98-29 win over Anderson University with all 12 players seeing playing time in the first half.

The Blue Devils were the better team on the defensive end, forcing 50 turnovers that were converted into 62 points.

“I liked a lot of things we did tonight. I thought we got a lot better,” McCallie said. “I really liked the intensity that both halves provided. I didn't feel a let up of pressure or intensity regardless of substitution patterns, margin in the game or any other factor. That is very important to us right now that we are prepared to get after it with great immediacy and intelligence and a little intensity without interruption.”

The Duke backcourt was faster, pressuring the ball on the teams 2-2-1 full court press for much of the game with both starting backcourt mates Abby Waner and Jasmine Thomas scoring and creating opportunities for teammates as the Blue Devils handed out 24 assists.

“Without question our guards did a great job of trying to drive the tempo, and made pretty good decisions,” McCallie said. “[We tried to] not force it if it wasn't there and then if it was, take it. The 24 assists would be a habit that we need to do repeatedly. That would be a very good thing for us.”

Waner shot 9-of-17 from floor scoring a team high 23 points while grabbing four rebounds and handing out 3 assists.

Thomas showed great poise and confidence running the offense from the point handing out 10 dimes while recording seven steals and scoring five points.
Thomas increased her intensity in the second half handing out seven of her 10 assists during her nine second half minutes.

“That's just what I am trying to focus on to make myself better as well as my team,” Thomas said. “I need to focus on trying to set up other people and just working on trying to make the team better.”

Offensively Duke shot 39-of-77 (50.6 percent) for the game knocking down 7-of-19 (36.8 percent) from three and 13-of-20 (65 percent) at the free throw line.

The frontcourt, which was led by Chante Black's 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting, was just too strong and talented for the Ravens. Black also added a team high eight rebounds.

Joy Cheek, Carrem Gay and Krystal Thomas also imposed their will inside against a smaller Anderson frontcourt. Cheek scored from both the inside and outside ending with 11 points and three steals. Gay corralled seven rebounds with three coming on the offensive end, and K. Thomas worked her way into excellent post position all night scoring 10 on 5-of-5 shooting.

The defensive intensity lasted the entire 40 minutes for the Blue Devils as they held their opponent to 25.7 percent shooting from the floor. Black, Cheek and Bridgette Mitchell all recorded blocks while Kathleen Scheer, and K. Thomas contested numerous inside shots.

“Defense is something we take great pride in,” Waner said. “We are really executing our defense, which isn't really something you hear all that often associated with defense. There are things we can get better at... That really attests to the discipline and the willingness to grow of this team.”

Rounding out the scoring for the Blue Devils was Shay Selby with nine, Karima Christmas, six, Scheer, five, Keturah Jackson, four and Chelsea Hopkins, four.