DURHAM, N.C. (Interstat) — Duke overwhelmed Boston College 100-49 in an Atlantic Coast Conference women’s basketball game Thursday at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils (8-6) led 51-17 by halftime and never relented, shooting 61.4% from the floor. The Eagles (4-12) managed only 35.6% shooting and were outrebounded 40-20. Riley Nelson led Duke with 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Toby Fournier added 18 points and eight rebounds. Ashlon Jackson had nine points and seven assists. Athena Tomlinson scored two points for Boston College. Attendance was 2,882.

DURHAM, N.C. (Interstat) — The Duke women’s basketball team delivered a dominant performance to open the new year, routing Boston College 100-49 in an Atlantic Coast Conference matchup Thursday at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils (8-6, 1-0 ACC) never trailed, opening the game on a 12-2 run and suffocating the Eagles (4-12, 0-1) with efficient offense and relentless defense. The 51-point margin of victory marked Duke’s most lopsided win in conference play this season and handed Boston College its fourth consecutive loss, all by 41 or more points. The most important part of the game was its inception, as Duke established immediate and overwhelming control. The tone was set from the opening tip, won by Duke’s Toby Fournier. Just 18 seconds in, Riley Nelson converted a layup for the game’s first points. Boston College briefly answered, but Duke responded with a 10-0 burst over the next two and a half minutes. The run was fueled by transition offense, interior scoring from Fournier and Delaney Thomas, and a 3-pointer from Ashlon Jackson, forcing an early Boston College timeout with the score 14-2. The Eagles would never recover, as Duke’s defensive pressure created turnovers and contested shots, holding Boston College to just 21 field goals on 59 attempts for the game. Nelson, a 6-foot-1 guard from Clarksburg, Maryland, led all scorers with 20 points, adding eight rebounds, five assists, a block and three steals in 28 minutes. She was instrumental in the early surge and finished an efficient 7 of 12 from the field. Fournier, a 6-2 forward from Toronto, complemented her with 18 points and eight rebounds. Duke’s offense was a model of efficiency, shooting 61.4% from the field (35 of 57) and 45.8% from 3-point range (11 of 24). Seven Blue Devils scored at least eight points. Boston College, meanwhile, struggled profoundly at both ends. The Eagles shot 35.6% overall and a frigid 19% from beyond the arc (4 of 21). They committed 16 turnovers, which Duke converted into 23 points, and managed only six assists on their 21 made baskets. Jocelyne Grier led the Eagles with 13 points, and Lily Carmody added 10. Duke’s offensive rating of 129.4 points per 100 possessions dwarfed Boston College’s mark of 66.3, illustrating the chasm in execution. The Blue Devils also dominated in the paint, outscoring the Eagles 52-24, and capitalized on free throws, making 19 of 28 compared to Boston College’s 3 of 4. The victory extends Duke’s winning streak to three games following nonconference wins over Belmont and Syracuse. Boston College’s season of struggles continues, having now lost nine of its last ten games. Duke next hosts Notre Dame on Sunday in another ACC contest. Boston College returns home to face Pittsburgh on Sunday.

DURHAM, N.C. (Interstat) — The Duke women’s basketball team will look to continue its recent surge while Boston College searches for a turnaround when the Atlantic Coast Conference foes meet Thursday at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils (7-6) enter the New Year’s Day contest having won four straight games, most recently a 71-51 victory at Syracuse on Sunday. Forward Toby Fournier has been dominant during the streak, averaging 21.8 points per game. She scored 22 points with seven rebounds and three blocks against the Orange. Conversely, the Eagles (4-11) are mired in a six-game losing skid. They are coming off a 90-39 home loss to North Carolina on Monday, a game in which they trailed 52-12 at halftime. Guard Kaia Henderson, a player to watch for Boston College, led the team with 10 points in that defeat. The matchup presents a stark contrast in momentum. Duke’s defense has been stifling during its win streak, holding opponents to an average of 51.3 points. Boston College has struggled offensively, failing to reach 70 points in any of its last five games. For the Eagles, containing Fournier will be a primary challenge. The Blue Devils have also received consistent production from guard Taina Mair, who had nine points, six rebounds and six assists against Syracuse. Boston College will need Henderson and others to find offensive rhythm against a tightening Duke defense. The Eagles’ last win came against Merrimack on Nov. 25. This game opens the ACC schedule for both teams. Duke holds a significant historical advantage in the series and has won the last 15 meetings dating back to 2011. Tipoff is set for Thursday afternoon in Durham.