• Recap
• Bleachers

Harding, Duke end undefeated start for No. 1 Maryland

Jan 13, 2007 - 9:03 PM DURHAM, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Lindsey Harding and Duke got an ounce of revenge for their failure to close out the national championship.

Harding scored 16 of her 28 points in the first half as third-ranked Duke handed top-ranked Maryland its first loss of the season with an 81-62 Atlantic Coast Conference rout.

In the title game last April, the Blue Devils held a 13-point lead before the Terrapins rallied for a 78-75 overtime victory and their first championship.

Harding shot 10-of-21 from the field and Alison Bales had 18 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocks for Duke (18-0, 4-0 ACC), which could bypass No. 2 North Carolina for the top spot in the nation with this win.

The Blue Devils and Tar Heels are the only remaining undefeated teams in Division I.

Holding Maryland to 28.9 percent (13-of-45) shooting in the first half, Duke grabbed a 41-30 lead at the break. This time, the Blue Devils made sure the advantage stood up, finishing 49 percent (33-of-67) from the floor and 11-of-14 on free throws.

Wanisha Smith scored 15 points and Abby Waner 11 for Duke, which beat a ranked opponent for the sixth straight time.

Crystal Langhorne had 14 points and Shay Doron 11 for the Terrapins (18-1, 2-1), who finished 37.8 percent (28-of-74) from the field, well below the nation's leading 53.8 percent they owned prior to the game.