63-52. The final score does not do justice to the second close game in University Hall yesterday in which the Cavaliers tied or swapped leads with No. 1 Duke 24 times.
63 is the lowest point total for Duke this season. The crowd was as invigorated as any women's basketball game this season, and the "boos" were audible on the floor when a streak of questionable calls and no-calls went in Duke's favor in the second half.
Such a close game was by no means what anyone expected when the top-ranked Blue Devils came to play the 8-7 Cavaliers. Even Duke coach Gail Goestenkors said she was surprised and expected a "normal game," which for Duke more often resembles its 79-57 thrashing of No. 13 North Carolina.
Last year, Virginia took No. 1 Duke to the final buzzer at U-Hall only to lose 60-59. The game, however, served as a turning point for the Cavaliers season, as they went 11-6 the rest of the season and on to the second round of the NCAA tournament. Although coach Debbie Ryan expressed her dislike for the comparison, a few salient points highlight the similarities.
Last year Virginia played that contest without its leading scorer Cherrise Graham and leading rebounder Brandi Teamer, both of whom were suspended. Once again last night, the Cavaliers' leading scorer and rebounder was out. Graham decided not to play this season, while Teamer who now leads the team in both categories did not play because of issues Ryan refused to comment on after the game. Ryan said she expects the matter to be cleared up in the next couple of days.
Whatever these issues are, the bottom line is that the rest of the team came together without its key statistical leaders and played a very competitive game against the top team in the nation.
Individuals stepped up to fill the void. Last year, LaTonya Blue and Anna Crosswhite stepped up their games, combining for 23 points while Blue added six assists. Both became key players that Virginia relied on later in the season, helping to lift the team to the NCAA tournament. Their scucess proves why the game was a turning point for last year's Cavalier squad.
Yesterday, in Teamer's absence, Jocelyn Logan-Friend took on the challenge, grabbing 10 rebounds and blocking five shots. Tiffany Sardin had a quiet eight points despite playing just 10 minutes because of foul trouble. For the comparison to become fully complete, those players that elevated their game last night must take something away from their performance. They must believe in their ability and become stronger because of it. If the stars of last night simply recede into the background or back onto the bench when Teamer comes back, then last night's game will be nothing more than another loss on the stat sheet.
Fans, however, shouldn't expect history to repeat itself and plan trips to follow their team to the NCAA tournament. As Ryan pointed out, last year's team is not this year's team. The dynamics of the team is very different this season, but the question remains: How will this team deal with a similar situation? Will they come away stronger? Can they take a step forward from losing a game? Will this team use this setback to propel it to become the best it can be?
Only time will tell, but one thing you can count on is that Virginia fans are hoping that the answer to all these questions will be a resounding "yes."
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