GREENSBORO - Duke women's coach Gail Goestenkors told her team after losing last season's national title to Maryland that their championship had been delayed, not denied.

That message soothed the hearts and coaxed the minds of returning players who, after losing in overtime, were devastated and emotionally spent. That message lifted spirits and gave Duke a reason to forget about the past as it embarked on a new season.

Duke embraced the concept of capturing its first national championship and surged to an undefeated regular season, the first in school history, and entered the NCAA Tournament as the nation's top-ranked team.

So it was a 100-watt shock to the top-seeded Blue Devils' systems Saturday when fourth-seeded Rutgers denied them an opportunity to play for this season's national title, ending their spectacular year with a 53-52 upset victory in the NCAA Tournament round of 16 at the Greensboro Coliseum.

Once again it was Goestenkors consoling her heartbroken team, trying to get players to see past a final score that changed in Rutgers' favor with 20 seconds remaining as freshman Epiphanny Prince nailed the winning shot.

Then seconds later, Duke senior guard Lindsey Harding, a 75 percent free-throw shooter this season, missed two shots from the line with 0.1 seconds remaining, ending her career and that of senior Alison Bales, who scored a game-high 21 points, blocked four shots and dished three assists.

Duke (32-2) lost in the round of 16 for the first time since falling to Southwest Missouri State in 2001.

Duke's only other loss this season came to N.C. State in the ACC Tournament on this very floor.

"It's going to be difficult, this is going to be a game they'll remember," Goestenkors said through bleary eyes. "Especially the seniors, this is going to be a game they will remember for the rest of their lives. I will do my very best to help them understand what a tremendous year this was."

Texas media is reporting Goestenkors is the University of Texas' top target for its opening.

But in the interim, Duke players will replay Saturday's final moments, from Prince's clutch shot to the final six seconds where Duke almost changed the outcome and Harding was almost a hero.

After turning the ball over to Rutgers, she knew that for a miracle to happen in the waning seconds, her team must have the ball.

With Duke trailing and Rutgers' Essence Carson inbounding the ball from the far baseline, Harding acted like a football defensive back and raced to halfcourt to intercept a long pass intended for Rutgers guard Matee Ajavon.

Harding drove to the basket and was fouled, setting up her opportunity at the line. If she had made either the first or second shot, she would have tied the score. If she had made both, Duke would have advanced to the regional final.

Both shots hit the back of the rim and caromed off. The red light around the backboard flashed to signal the end. Harding fell back to the floor, put both hands over her eyes and began to cry.

Later, Harding spoke about her time at the line. "I was really comfortable ... Shot the ball and it felt good coming off both times. And that's what I think the biggest shock was to me."

Rutgers, a team Duke beat 85-45 on Dec. 4, played as if that contest was held 20 years ago. Rutgers shot 57 percent from the field in the second half.

The Scarlet Knights were defensively physical and slick, especially in the second half when they implemented a full-court press that befuddled the Blue Devils -- who held their biggest lead, 28-18, with 18:05 left in the second. Duke had 16 turnovers.

"They play good defense, but their athleticism covers up for a lot of it," said Duke sophomore Abby Waner, who scored only five points. "It's more that we weren't hitting our shots like we normally do. It seems at times we weren't really in a flow."

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