DePaul University
Florida
In the Blink of an Eye, DePaul Wins
11/18/2010 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Nov. 18, 2010
DePaul 74, Florida 73 - Box Score 
Bluetube: Highlights | Postgame Interview
CHICAGO - It was a bang-bang finish, and coach Doug Bruno thought his DePaul Blue Demons had lost.
But Florida's last-fraction-of-a-second shot Thursday night did not beat the buzzer, and it was DePaul that emerged with a dramatic 74-73 victory in the semifinals of the Preseason Women's NIT at McGrath Arena.
DePaul (3-0) advances to Sunday's 1 p.m. championship game against Purdue (3-0) at Mackey Arena.
One official made the call right away, waving off the basket after Kayla Lewis had caught the inbounds pass and appeared to score on a layup.
In the midst of Gator players celebrating, all three officials huddled and then ruled that the initial call on the court would be upheld.
With less than three-tenths of a second on the clock, the only attempt that would count is a tip-in or tap at the basket. When Florida inbounded the ball, there was one-tenth of a second left.
"I thought we got beat," Bruno said. "I couldn't see if it was a catch or a tip-in. That's a coach for you, always thinking the worst."
But Keisha Hampton knew better. "I knew it wasn't good," said the DePaul forward who led the Blue Demons with 19 points and also had four assists. "At that point, it has to be a tip."
Six seconds earlier, Hampton's free throw had provided the winning margin.
"Just knock them down," Hampton said about her mindset before attempting a pair of free throws.
Did she realize the outcome of this hard-fought game likely rested in her hands?
"Yes, I did," Hampton said. "I tried not to think about it. Relax and shoot like I do every day in practice."
The Blue Demons played what Bruno described as a "surreal" first half, lacking their usual focus and intensity.
"There was one time when Keisha was on defense and the player she was guarding just went right past her," Bruno said. "We had instances of one-on-none and would kick the ball away or miss a layup."
After trailing 45-40 at intermission, the Blue Demons' halftime adjustments enabled them to stabilize the game and slow down Florida's fast-breaking attack.
An 8-2 run sparked by Anna Martin (16 points, three steals) gave DePaul a 69-68 lead with 5:13 left in the game.
Florida went back in front 73-70 with 3:14 to go on a three-pointer by Lewis. Katherine Harry retaliated with a jumper and Hampton hit one of two free throws with 1:21 on the clock to tie it at 73-73.
Florida had the ball with 5.2 seconds left, and Lanita Bartley drove the length of the court. DePaul had two fouls to give, but couldn't latch onto the speedy Gator point guard.
Bartley was fouled by China Threatt with that fraction of a second left.
In addition to Hampton's 19 points and 16 from Martin, DePaul point guard Sam Quigley scored 16 points and had three assists and two steals. Felicia Chester wound up with seven points, eight rebounds and five assists.
