Not sure what it's doing on the Sports Economist blog, but an interesting entry on physical play, low scores, and officiating (in the men's college game, but it doesn't take much imagination to apply it to the women's game). Worth a click to read the entire entry, but a highlight:

Physical defensive play rather than offensive tactics now accounts for the low scoring. The development of physical play can be attributed to savvy strategy itself. If a team fouls almost continuously, they place the referees in a dilemma much like overwhelmed police during a riot.

Calling all or many of the fouls ejects a lot of players, creating a broo-ha-ha as it did at Clemson in a game when Rick Barnes coached game and a Duke game this season. Or, officials can selectively call fouls, keeping the total below a "normal" maximum (25-30). However, this selectivity not only allows more fouls to go unpunished but it encourages more strategizing and fouling, especially for teams that can spread their fouls among 9-10 players.

I'd welcome the input of any officials out there....