EAST LANSING, Mich. — Joanne P. McCallie squatted on the sideline, staring in disbelief as her top-seeded Blue Devils fell apart in an arena where she was once adored.
Michigan State fans came to boo their former coach. They ended up cheering as loud as they have in years, witnessing a rare second-round upset against a woman who bolted for her dream job two years ago.
Mia Johnson scored a season-high 17 points and Lauren Aitch added 15, lifting the Spartans to a 63-49 victory Tuesday night over mighty Duke.
“It was never about playing Coach P. It was all about us,” Spartans forward Aisha Jefferson said. “A lot of people just look at the name ‘Duke’ and that’s the end of the game right there.”
Duke (27-6) was doomed because it didn’t make a shot for the last 7 1/3 minutes as it was outscored 16-2, leading to fans — including men’s basketball players — rushing the court to celebrate.
McCallie insisted it wasn’t surreal to end a promising season against a program she led to the 2005 championship game as the end of the game unfolded and the only question left was the final score.
“I was just trying to focus on us getting stops and scores,” McCallie said. “And, we didn’t get either.”
Jasmine Thomas had 14 points and Karima Christmas scored 13 for Duke (27-6) while leading scorer Chante Black was held to just four. Abby Waner, a graduate of ThunderRidge High School, was held to eight points on 3-of-11 shooting.
“I just don’t know what to think,” Christmas said. “I don’t want this season to end.”
Texas A&M 73, Minnesota 42
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Sydney Colson had six steals to pace the Aggies to a season- high 20 and Texas A&M forced a season-high 32 turnovers against the Gophers (20-12).
Danielle Gant led Texas A&M (27-7) with 20 points on 9-for-12 shooting, Takia Starks added 17 and Colson had 13. Despite being outsized by Minnesota, the Aggies had a 37-28 rebounding advantage.
Emily Fox, also a graduate of ThunderRidge and Minnesota’s leading scorer at 13.2 points a game, was 0-for-11 from the floor, settling for two free throws during a 16-2 run in the second half by the Aggies that put the game away.
Maryland 71, Utah 56
COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Marissa Coleman had 18 points and a career-high 18 rebounds, Kristi Toliver scored 17 and the Terrapins (30-4) beat the Utes (23-10) for their 35th consecutive victory at home.
Connecticut 87, Florida 59
STORRS, Conn. — Renee Montgomery scored 25 points in her final game at home and the Huskies (35-0) advanced to the regional semifinals for the 16th straight season.
The Associated Press
