FLASH GUARD — Sophomore point guard Ketia Swanier fired up the 3-pointer as if she was the best long-range shooter in the country. It didn't matter that the score was tied with less than 12 minutes left in the NCAA regional semifinals Sunday night. The shot was there, and with the confidence of a senior All-American, Swanier stepped up and knocked it down.

The sequence was another example of the progress Swanier has made this season. In turn, coach Geno Auriemma has had more confidence in her. Swanier played 26 minutes against Georgia, finishing with nine points, three rebounds and two steals.

"I just think she had a lot of confidence in herself and because I saw her acting like that it gave me confidence in her," Auriemma said. "But I think it's something that's been growing. If you come to our practices and you watch us every day I would tell you that Ketia's probably been the most confident individual at our practices. So, naturally, at some point that's going to carry over."

It was the second time in the first three games in the tournament that Swanier has played at least 20 minutes and the sixth time in the last 13 overall. She reached that mark only six times in the first 23 games.

Swanier's confidence certainly has earned her further playing time. But her ability to make plays, most notably in transition, has been a needed spark for the Huskies. They are averaging 77.7 points entering tonight's Bridgeport regional final against top-seeded

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Duke. That's 5.1 points more than they did through the Big East tournament.

"I think it sets the tone for the team if I'm making plays and pushing the ball and making things happen," Swanier said. "It's a big time of the season and we're playing really good teams right now and that's a big thing to have your composure and to stay calm. If you don't, and you run around there like a chicken with its head cut off, then it's going to be terrible, especially with me being a point guard, too."

CLOSED SPACE — The tone in her voice painted a picture of frustration. Mel Thomas was scoreless and attempted only three shots — all 3-pointers — in 12 minutes against Georgia.

But with the speed of the Lady Bulldogs in the backcourt and UConn's focus on attacking foul-plagued Tasha Humphrey on the inside, Thomas's role was diminished.

"I didn't play as many minutes as I usually do," said Thomas, who is second on the team in minutes (30.0). "Maybe it's just the way the game worked out. I'm not really worried about that. We won. At this time of the year right now it's about winning. That's all it's about right now. I'm just ready to contribute on this team."

In order for Thomas to contribute she needs to find openings and score from the perimeter. She averaged 11.5 points and 8.5 shots in victories over Coppin State and Virginia Tech to open the tournament.

But Thomas has experienced difficulty against guards all season. She scored combined 10 points on 3-of-17 shooting in the two games she played against North Carolina and Rutgers this season.

Tonight, Thomas will face another quick backcourt with Lindsay Harding and Wanisha Smith starting for Duke.

"I think when you play the better opponents you have to be a little smarter about how you're going to get open and get your shots," Thomas said. "That's just kind of something I have to focus on."

WELCOME BACK — After suffering a 59-49 loss to LSU in the regional final last season, Duke guard Monique Curry hadn't made clear her plans for 2005-06. Since she had already been at Duke for four years, she had given thought to jumping for the WNBA.

But Mistie Williams was convinced quickly that Currie would be back.

"I knew from the moment we lost at our press conference," Williams said. "We had just lost to LSU and it leaves a bad taste in your mouth. The only reason I knew she'd be coming back was because I was in the press conference with her, and the way I saw her react and everything."

Currie opted to come back, she said, with the hopes of leading her team over the hump to the national championship. Her coaches and teammates were glad she did.

"We were really excited she was coming back because we knew how much better our team would be," Williams said. "We were going to be great without her, but the fact that she was here gives us that much more of a chance to win the national championship."

Coach Gail Goestenkors was asked if she had thought about this year's team without Currie.

"I try not to," she said. "I think we'd still be an exceptional team. I thought last year when she was considering going pro we were going to be a better team this year than we were last year. But she's such a mentally and physically tough kid that I think, especially this time of year, that's what you need. She helps show the way for the underclassmen — the toughness it takes this time of year."

SURVEY SAYS — The Duke media guide includes a page with answers to 25 light-hearted questions posed to the players. A question like, "Who is the team's best dancer?" is followed with the top few responses.

One particular interesting question: "Who could be trusted most around your boyfriend?"

For the record, freshman Keturah Jackson received the most votes.

— RICH ELLIOTT and

CHRIS CASAVANT