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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Dukewomen's basketball is back in the Elite Eight for the first time in 12 years after its 47-38 win over UNC in the Sweet 16 at Legacy Arena on Friday.
The Blue Devils were powered by an important piece they have been relying on all season – their bench. In total, the Duke reserves outscored the North Carolina bench 26-6.
"I have such great belief in all of the 10 players in my rotation, and I know they can change games," Duke coach Kara Lawson said. "Our bench has won us a ton of games this year, and they continue to give us good minutes."
Duke was led by Oluchi Okananwa, the 2024 ACC Sixth Man of the Year. The guard posted a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds, doing so in 25 minutes off the bench. Guard Vanessa de Jesus, in 19 minutes off the bench, finished as the Blue Devils' third-leading scorer with 8 points.
"Vanessa changed the game when she came in, just her fearlessness, attacking and ball-screen action to get to the rim and loosen up their defense and give us some confidence," Lawson said. "(de Jesus) composure running the team was huge. Then Oluchi continues to be an impact player on both ends for us."
The bench came up big in helping Duke overcome an early 11-0 deficit and an 0-for-9 start from the field. Jess Wood checked in, scoring the Blue Devils' first three points behind a free throw and jump shot midway through the first quarter.
"I'll be honest, I was a little worried down 11-0 if we would score at all in the game," Lawson said. "I don't think there's ever been a shutout in the tournament, so it felt pretty good to be able to score at some point."
From there, Duke closed the first quarter on a 9-2 run to trail 13-9 at the end of the period. It tied the game at 13 in the second period with a Delaney Thomas layup. A lost-ball turnover and Reigan Richardson steal got the ball in the hands of Okananwa, her layup giving Duke its first lead, up 15-13 at the 5:39 mark of the second period.
Duke never trailed again.
FROM THE GAME: Duke women's basketball reaches Elite Eight with win over UNC: Highlights, stats
WHERE TO STAY: Where to stay for Birmingham Regional in NCAA women's basketball tournament: Hotels and more
Duke put up a season-high 48 bench points in its 89-36 season-opening win over Radford. The Blue Devils matched that total in its 86-25 NCAA Tournament opening-round win over Lehigh.
Toby Fournier, the ACC Rookie of the Year, is the Blue Devils' leading scorer on the season, averaging 13.4 points. The Canada native has done this while coming off the bench, not starting in any of Duke's contests this season.
In the NCAA, Duke ranks second with 31.7 bench points only behind No. 1 South Carolina, which averages 41.5 bench points.
"We consistently have the game changed by players off the bench, and it's different ones," Lawson said.
Duke will face the winner of No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 4 Maryland on Sunday in the Elite Eight at Legacy Arena. The Blue Devils will be looking to make their fifth trip to the Final Four.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Duke women's basketball bench big in Sweet 16 win over UNC
Continue reading...
The Blue Devils were powered by an important piece they have been relying on all season – their bench. In total, the Duke reserves outscored the North Carolina bench 26-6.
"I have such great belief in all of the 10 players in my rotation, and I know they can change games," Duke coach Kara Lawson said. "Our bench has won us a ton of games this year, and they continue to give us good minutes."
Duke was led by Oluchi Okananwa, the 2024 ACC Sixth Man of the Year. The guard posted a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds, doing so in 25 minutes off the bench. Guard Vanessa de Jesus, in 19 minutes off the bench, finished as the Blue Devils' third-leading scorer with 8 points.
"Vanessa changed the game when she came in, just her fearlessness, attacking and ball-screen action to get to the rim and loosen up their defense and give us some confidence," Lawson said. "(de Jesus) composure running the team was huge. Then Oluchi continues to be an impact player on both ends for us."
The bench came up big in helping Duke overcome an early 11-0 deficit and an 0-for-9 start from the field. Jess Wood checked in, scoring the Blue Devils' first three points behind a free throw and jump shot midway through the first quarter.
"I'll be honest, I was a little worried down 11-0 if we would score at all in the game," Lawson said. "I don't think there's ever been a shutout in the tournament, so it felt pretty good to be able to score at some point."
From there, Duke closed the first quarter on a 9-2 run to trail 13-9 at the end of the period. It tied the game at 13 in the second period with a Delaney Thomas layup. A lost-ball turnover and Reigan Richardson steal got the ball in the hands of Okananwa, her layup giving Duke its first lead, up 15-13 at the 5:39 mark of the second period.
Duke never trailed again.
FROM THE GAME: Duke women's basketball reaches Elite Eight with win over UNC: Highlights, stats
WHERE TO STAY: Where to stay for Birmingham Regional in NCAA women's basketball tournament: Hotels and more
Duke put up a season-high 48 bench points in its 89-36 season-opening win over Radford. The Blue Devils matched that total in its 86-25 NCAA Tournament opening-round win over Lehigh.
Toby Fournier, the ACC Rookie of the Year, is the Blue Devils' leading scorer on the season, averaging 13.4 points. The Canada native has done this while coming off the bench, not starting in any of Duke's contests this season.
In the NCAA, Duke ranks second with 31.7 bench points only behind No. 1 South Carolina, which averages 41.5 bench points.
"We consistently have the game changed by players off the bench, and it's different ones," Lawson said.
Duke will face the winner of No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 4 Maryland on Sunday in the Elite Eight at Legacy Arena. The Blue Devils will be looking to make their fifth trip to the Final Four.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Duke women's basketball bench big in Sweet 16 win over UNC
Continue reading...
