Duke crushes Hampton 72-37 in NCAA women's tournament opener

Hampton University first year coach David Six: "You have to take baby steps, and I think this is one of them." "I think now we know what it's like. I think there were times during the game that we belonged on the floor. "

DURHAM, N.C. - For the Hampton University women, the fun lasted barely beyond the first TV timeout Saturday. The shots were falling, the Pirates had the lead against heavy favorite Duke, and the Hampton band and fans were jamming. Even the players on the bench looked like they wanted to join in the dancing during the first commercial break of this NCAA tournament first-rounder. The Pirates led 4-3, then 6-3 and later 8-5. But the March magic they had hoped for never materialized at Cameron Indoor Stadium as Duke rolled 72-37.

So what if it was their lowest scoring output in four NCAA tournament games. Now the players know what it feels like, even if it didn't feel so great at the final horn. "We know we don't want to feel like this again, if we get here," sophomore guard Jericka Jenkins said in a disconsolate Hampton locker room. "Right now, it makes it seem like everything we worked for is down the drain. But this one game does not determine our season."

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