Duke outplayed Maryland so thoroughly at the outset of the game that it initially appeared we were headed for a championship blowout. But the Devils didn't capitalize. They missed some layups. They made some stupid plays (e.g.: Currie blew an easy fast break, then didn't get back on defense, leading to a Maryland three-pointer and a five-point swing). They committed some needless fouls.

Duke's halftime lead was 10. It should have been 20.

Voepel says we should have expected a Terp comeback. Maryland knew it was coming. Perhaps Duke did too.

The Terps played better and better in the second half. The Devils played worse and worse, tighter and tigher. The lead reached 13 with 15 minutes left, but it was soon down to 8. Then 5. Then 3. Then gone.

"I think Maryland had the momentum the entire second half," Currie said. "We really didn't get a chance to go on a run, and they went on a couple of runs."

Duke retook a small lead down the stretch. Maryland was down three with one final possession. Unphased and unconscious, Kristi Toliver made one of the greatest shots in women's basketball history: A beautiful fadeaway three-pointer from the wing over the arms of 6'7" Alison Bales.

Graham Hays:

No shot was bigger, and no redemption more needed, than Toliver's 3-pointer to tie the score at 70 with six seconds remaining. As a result, the freshman point guard is almost certainly the first player to make an all-tournament team after committing 12 turnovers in the semifinal round and missing eight shots in the first half of the final.

"In my opinion, big-time players want the ball in big-time situations," Toliver said. "So I wanted to take the shot. I felt very comfortable with it."

Foul trouble hampered the Devils all game, and in the OT, it clamped down further, ultimately sending Lindsey Harding to the bench. Once in overtime, there was no doubt that it was Maryland's game.

"I just feel utter disappointment right now for my players and specifically for my seniors," coach Goestenkors said. "So it's killing me right now. Not for myself, but for my players."

Youth was served. Maryland's party began.

Back in the fall, we wondered whether this year would be the first year of a women's college basketball dynasty. But we were thinking of a dynasty in Tennessee, which had put together a team of impossibly talented young players. Now, as Eric Adelson says, we have to wonder about a dynasty in College Park.

Note to Pat and Geno and Gail and Pokey: Better sleep with one eye open. Maryland is here, and there is reason to fear.