Duke Women Stay Hot, Rally Past Virginia to Stay Perfect in ACC Play
DURHAM, N.C. - The Blue Devils are rolling, and Thursday night inside Cameron Indoor Stadium, they showed why they’re one of the hottest teams in ACC women’s basketball.
Led by a breakout 25-point performance from their sophomore forward, Duke clawed their way past Virginia, 65-58, with a dominant late-game surge that extended their win streak to nine and kept their conference record unblemished at 7-0. That mark is not only the best start to ACC play under head coach Kara Lawson - it’s the program’s best since the 2012-13 squad opened with 15 straight.
And while the final score shows a seven-point margin, this one was far from easy.
A Statement Start
From the opening tip, Duke looked ready. The sophomore star wasted no time putting her stamp on the game, scoring eight of Duke’s first 12 points as the Blue Devils raced out to a 12-4 lead midway through the first quarter. That early burst forced a Virginia timeout and gave Duke the momentum it needed to control the tempo early.
She didn’t stop there. The Toronto native capped off a sizzling first quarter with a buzzer-beating three from the top of the arc, giving her 15 points in just 10 minutes - a personal best for a single quarter - and Duke a 23-14 cushion heading into the second.
Virginia Pushes Back
But Virginia wasn’t going anywhere. The Cavaliers tightened up defensively in the second quarter, holding Duke scoreless for over three minutes and trimming the lead to 27-22. Just when the Blue Devils needed a spark, Delaney Thomas delivered - muscling through contact for an old-school three-point play that gave Duke some breathing room.
Taina Mair added a big-time three late in the half, helping Duke take a 35-24 lead into the break. But the second half told a different story.
Cavaliers Storm Back
Virginia came out of the locker room with a renewed edge. After Duke briefly pushed the lead to 13, the Cavaliers responded with an 8-2 run and turned up the pressure on both ends. Their defense disrupted Duke’s rhythm, and by the end of the third quarter, Virginia had taken its first lead of the night - 45-44 - after a 13-3 run that left the Blue Devils searching for answers.
The Cavaliers didn’t let up to start the fourth, stretching their lead to six points with under seven minutes to play. That’s when Duke flipped the switch.
The Turning Point
Arianna Roberson knocked down a jumper to end a nearly seven-minute field goal drought, and from there, the Blue Devils took over. The 11-0 run that followed was a masterclass in poise and execution.
Roberson tied the game with a smooth jumper from the top of the key. Ashlon Jackson, who had been relatively quiet through three quarters, caught fire when it mattered most.
First, she drilled a pull-up three in transition to give Duke the lead. Then she hit another from the left wing that all but sealed it.
Jackson finished with 12 points and five assists, but her fourth-quarter shot-making was the difference down the stretch.
Roberson was steady throughout, adding 10 points, six boards, and two blocks. Thomas chipped in nine points, four steals, and three assists - the kind of do-it-all performance Duke fans have come to expect. Mair, meanwhile, ran the show with six assists and a key three-pointer before the half.
Closing Time
Duke’s defense clamped down in the final minutes, and the Blue Devils knocked down four clutch free throws in the last 12 seconds to ice the game.
For Virginia, Tabith Amanze led the way with 20 points, five rebounds, and four blocks in a strong effort that kept the Cavaliers in it until the final minutes.
What It Means
This win wasn’t just about extending a streak - it was a gut-check. Duke faced real adversity, trailed in the fourth quarter, and found a way to respond. That’s the kind of resilience that wins championships, and it’s becoming a calling card for this team.
With their seventh straight ACC win and ninth straight overall, the Blue Devils are showing they’re not just a good story - they’re a serious contender.
And if Thursday night was any indication, they’re only getting stronger.