Duke Beats Tennessee by Four

I enjoyed tonight's Duke - Tennessee game. Duke defeated Tennessee 74 to 70 before a huge crowd of 18,559 screaming fans in Tennessee's Thompson-Boling Arena.

Of course, the start of the game wasn't too promising of a tight finish. When I got home (from the raido station), Duke led 16 to 0. Then, the Blue Devils went ahead 19 to 0 before the Lady Vols finally got on the scoreboard.

I was more worried about the game losing its tv audience than I was Tennessee making a run to narrow Duke's lead.

Duke's Abby Waner was sensational in the first half. She scored 21 points in the first half including 5 for 5 on three point shots; and, some of those shots were D E E P. Abby finished the game with 24 points.

Duke's senior point guard Lindsey Harding was sensational. After the Lady Vols finally tied the game at 58, Harding guided Duke to five straight points to keep Tennessee at arm's length as well as keep the Blue Devils steady and confident. Harding finished the game with 21 points; seven assists; and two steals.

Guard Wanisha Smith played steady throughout the game and added 15 points in just 26 minutes.

Tennessee's Candace Parker played all 40 minutes and finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds; however, Parker missed six of her seven free throw attempts which proved costly for the Lady Vols. As a team, the Lady Vols shot a sorry 8 for 17 from the foul line.

Alexis Hornbuckle added 19 points and nine rebounds while Sidney Spencer added 13 points; however, Spencer made just three of her 13 field goal attempts.

The game was enjoyable to watch and well played, too. I don't see why both teams cannot advance to Cleveland for the 2007 Women's Final Four.

I'm planning to be in Cleveland to cover it.