February
11, 2004.
Cameron Indoor Stadium
Box Score | Photos
My time is a bit limited at the moment, but I did
want to do a very quick recap of the Virginia game. Duke
staked out an early 12-3 lead thanks to a couple of early JJ Redick threes and some fast
breaks. An early injury to Luol Deng really
hurt Duke's energy and help defense, and the Hoos were able to creep back to within 12-9. Duke's long range shooting continued to amaze, as
Dan Ewing hit 3 threes in a row and Shavlik Randolph muscled inside a couple of times for
easy scores to give Duke a 25-13 lead. Duke
looked like they were going to blow the Hoos out a few times, but could never get the lead
past 13 points, despite more great shooting by Redick (who had 4 threes in the first
half). Virginia hit 5 of their 10 threes in
the first half but more importantly got to the foul line 11 times, hitting 9. That kept them within 47-39 at the half despite
some foul difficulties of their own. Redick
had 16 points in the first half and Ewing 13.
Shelden
Williams started the second half off well, finding Redick on a cut and scoring 3 quick
points. But the Hoos stormed back to within
52-47 and Deng demanded to be let back into the game.
He posted up for a three point play and then hit a 15' jumper. Virginia kept coming, closing to within 57-54 with
thirteen minutes to go. Duke went on a 6-0
run with Redick scoring on a drive, Deng getting a tip-in and Duhon driving and getting
fouled. With that bit of cushion, Duke held
the Hoos at arm's length for a few minutes and then then
started to turn up the defense. Williams scored on a dropstep and a fast break dunk and
Deng hammered down a lob. The rest of the
game was academic after that, as Williams continued to score down low, Duhon hit a three
and Redick continued his scoring rampage.
Duke fouled too much in this game and played
lousy perimeter defense. They never could stop Brown (despite the chants of "Brand is
Better" from the 6th Man), who had 24 points and 8 rebounds, but they outlasted him.
Down the stretch, Brown could not stop Shelden and then started short-arming his own
attempts. Williams wound up with 19 points,
12 boards and 4 blocks. Deng scored 11 and
had 5 rebounds & 3 steals in just 15 minutes of play.
Redick finished with 25 points. The
Devils won it thanks to defense, excellent shooting (52% for the game, 42% from three) and
getting to the foul line (27-34).
