UAlbany Great Danes at Duke Blue Devils

Rebecca Greenwell's late 3 helps Duke stave off Albany upset bid

And then Rebecca Greenwell snatched victory right back.

Greenwell hit a 3-pointer with 14.9 seconds left that lifted the Blue Devils past Albany 54-52 on Friday in the first round of the Spokane Region.

The redshirt freshman finished with 20 points for the fourth-seeded Blue Devils (22-10). They overcame a season-worst 27 turnovers to win their NCAA tournament opener for the 22nd straight time.

"We didn't go down without a fight tonight," Greenwell said.

Imani Tate had 17 points and Shereesha Richards added 12 for the Great Danes (24-9), who were trying to become just the second No. 13 seed to win a game in the tournament and the first since Marist in 2012.

"We should have won the game," guard Sarah Royals said. "I think that we outplayed them, and I'm not ashamed to say it."

They had two chances to retake the lead after Greenwell's big shot in the final seconds put Duke up 53-52.

Tate missed on a drive down the lane with about 8 seconds left and Duke's Azura Stevens hit the first of two free throws with 6.4 seconds left.

She missed the second and the Great Danes raced downcourt, but Erin Coughlin's corner 3 clipped off the back iron at the buzzer.

"I'm convinced that every shot Erin shoots goes in," Royals said.

Elizabeth Williams had 12 rebounds but was just 2 for 9 shooting while Amber Henson added 10 boards for Duke, which will play fifth-seeded Mississippi State on Sunday in the second round.

The Blue Devils rarely have trouble with their first NCAA tournament opponent, winning each of their previous 18 first-round games by double figures.

Not this time.

The Blue Devils had their hands full with an Albany team making its fourth straight tournament appearance. Neither team led by more than eight, and the Great Danes appeared to be in control late, leading by four with the ball in the final 90 seconds.

"I think we all had faith in each other that we were still going to win the game," Williams said. "I don't think there was any doubt in anyone's mind."

Williams made it a one-possession game with a jumper in the lane with about 1:10 remaining, and Duke got the ball back after Richards and Tate missed with about 40 seconds to play.

"She killed us," Albany coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson said. "All by herself."

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

Greenwell was asked if she thought her 3-pointer was good when it left her hand. Her response: "No. I had no idea."

STAT WATCH:

TIP-INS:

Duke: McCallie has won 12 straight first-round games.

UP NEXT

:

Albany: Season over.

Duke: Plays Mississippi State on Sunday in the second round.

How can I watch Great Danes vs. Blue Devils?

• TV Channel: Great Danes vs Blue Devils 2021 College Basketball, week 1, is broadcasted on ESPN3.
• Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.

Location: Durham, NC
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