TCU Falls to Top-Seeded Duke, 76-66

Kati Safaritova

Alana Beard had 24 points and 11 rebounds, and Monique Currie scored 22 as top-seeded Duke beat eighth-seeded TCU 76-66 in the second round of the East Regional on Sunday for its 20th straight win. TCU finishes the season at 24-7.

The Blue Devils (29-3) advanced to the round of 16 for the fifth straight year. They will face the winner of Sunday's game between No. 4 Texas and No. 12 UC Santa Barbara next weekend in nearby Raleigh.

Duke got off to a slow start but increased the pace with fullcourt pressure midway through the first half. The Blue Devils gradually pulled away from the Frogs, leading by as many as 16 in the second half.

Beard struggled early but got 18 points in the second half to score 20-plus points for the eighth consecutive game.

Currie had 14 points in the first half, while reserve Krista Gingrich had 12 points and three 3-pointers.

TCU, which beat ninth-seeded Indiana on Friday, closed to 59-51 on a 3-pointer from Ebony Shaw with 4:11 to play. But Gingrich answered with a 3-pointer on the next possession.

TCU got as close as eight four other times, but could not get closer. Duke went 10-for-12 from the free-throw line in the final 72 seconds.

Kati Safaritova scored 24 to lead TCU, which jumped out to a 12-6 lead. Duke then went to a fullcourt press, which led to two quick turnovers. Currie hit four free throws and a 3-pointer, followed by a Beard turnaround jumper that tied the game at 15 with 9:41 left in the half.

The Blue Devils gained a cushion with an 8-0 run late in the half, taking a 27-18 lead on a layup by Wynter Whitley with 4:22 to play and leading 34-23 at halftime.