Share
HOUSTON Duke senior forward Lance Thomas missed seven of his first eight field-goal attempts and was overwhelmed by Baylor's size for most of the game.
But he made two huge plays on offensive rebounds Sunday to help Duke pull away in a 78-71 defeat of Baylor in the South Regional final.
Thomas rebounded a missed Nolan Smith free throw to set up Smith for the 3-point basket that gave Duke the lead for good. He also converted on a tip dunk for a three-point play and a 70-62 lead.
Before the game, as he listened to the national anthem with his arms locked with his teammates, Thomas was so jittery that he couldn't keep still.
"Throughout the year, I've always done the little things for this team," Thomas said. "I'll guard the other team's best player. I'll take that charge. I'll get that loose ball. ... On this team, that's not overlooked."
Remember '08: Bob Huggins was in his first season on West Virginia's bench when the Mountaineers last met Duke in an NCAA game. It was in 2008 and it didn't go well for the Blue Devils, who finished 28-6.
Seeded second in the West Regional, Duke lost 73-67 in a second-round game in Washington, D.C. Jon Scheyer got 15 points and Kyle Singler six. Smith, in 12 minutes, added five.
Scheyer hits marks: After going 5-for-15 in a semifinal win Friday against Purdue, Scheyer went 5-for-12 overall and 5-for-10 on 3-point attempts in the win against Baylor.
"Coming into the game I wasn't going to worry about or think about my shot," Scheyer said. "I was just going to let it go when I was open. I really wanted to follow my instincts."
