DURHAM, N.C. (Interstat) — The Duke women’s basketball team defeated Virginia 65-58 in an Atlantic Coast Conference game Thursday night at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils built a 35-24 halftime lead behind a 23-point first quarter. The Cavaliers rallied with a 21-point third quarter to close the gap but could not complete the comeback as Duke scored 21 in the final period. Attendance was 2,533. With the win, Duke improved to 12-6 overall. Virginia fell to 13-5.

DURHAM, N.C. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a dominant opening act and a resilient closing response, the Duke women’s basketball team held off a furious second-half charge from Virginia to secure a 65-58 victory in an Atlantic Coast Conference matchup Thursday night at Cameron Indoor Stadium. A crowd of 2,533 watched as the Blue Devils, propelled by a blistering first-quarter performance, built a substantial lead that proved just enough to withstand the Cavaliers’ determined comeback bid. The win improved Duke to 12-6 overall, while Virginia fell to 13-5. The narrative of the contest was etched in the stark contrast between the first and third quarters. Duke exploded from the tip, orchestrated by the dynamic play of Toby Fournier and Ashlon Jackson. Fournier, a sophomore from Toronto, set the tone immediately, winning the opening jump ball and scoring Duke’s first six points. She finished with a game-high 25 points, showcasing a versatile interior game. Jackson, a junior from China, Texas, facilitated the offense with precision, dishing out five assists to go with 12 points. Their efforts fueled a 23-point first quarter for the Blue Devils, who shot efficiently and forced Virginia into early turnovers. The Cavaliers, meanwhile, struggled to find an offensive rhythm, managing only 14 points in the period. Duke’s lead ballooned to as many as 13 in the first half, and they entered halftime with a 35-24 advantage, largely on the strength of that initial surge. The most important part of the game, however, was Virginia’s forceful response after the break. The Cavaliers emerged from the locker room with renewed defensive intensity and a focused offensive plan centered on forward Tabitha Amanze. The 6-foot-4 junior from Ogun, Nigeria, became an unstoppable force in the paint, scoring 11 of her team-high 20 points in the third quarter. Her presence also anchored Virginia’s defense, as she recorded four blocks, several of which ignited fast-break opportunities. Virginia outscored Duke 21-9 in the third period, methodically chipping away at the deficit. A driving layup by Kymora Johnson, who had 13 points, capped the quarter and brought the Cavaliers within a single point at 44-43, completely transforming the atmosphere in the venerable arena and setting up a tense final act. The fourth quarter evolved into a possession-by-possession battle. Virginia finally drew even at 47-47 on a Sa’Myah Smith layup with just over nine minutes remaining. Smith finished with 10 points. Duke answered with a critical 7-0 run, keyed by an Arianna Roberson jump shot and a clutch three-pointer from Ashlon Jackson, to rebuild a 54-47 cushion with 4:54 left. Roberson, a sophomore from San Antonio, provided a vital boost off the bench with 10 points, two blocks, and stout interior defense. Virginia refused to capitulate. Amanze continued to attack, drawing fouls and converting free throws, and a three-pointer from Johnson with 59 seconds left cut Duke’s lead to 58-56. The ensuing sequence decided the contest. On the critical next possession, Duke’s Taina Mair found Fournier for a layup to push the lead back to four with 50 seconds remaining. After a Virginia miss, Duke secured the defensive rebound and, following a timeout, executed a perfectly designed play resulting in another Jackson three-pointer from the wing, extending the lead to 61-56 with 43 seconds on the clock and effectively sealing the outcome. Virginia was forced to foul in the final seconds, and Duke’s Delaney Thomas and Jackson combined to hit four free throws to close the game. Thomas contributed nine points and three assists, while Mair directed the offense for 36 minutes, handing out six assists. Despite the loss, Virginia’s second-half performance demonstrated the grit that has characterized their season. They will look to rebound at home against Pittsburgh on Jan. 22. Duke, which narrowly exceeded its 95.5% win probability according to National Statistical’s ELO system, will host Georgia Tech on Sunday.

DURHAM, N.C. (Interstat) — A surging Duke squad hosts a Virginia team looking to rebound when the Atlantic Coast Conference women’s basketball rivals meet Thursday night at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils (11-6, 4-0 ACC) have won seven straight games, their longest streak of the season, following a 67-60 road victory at Stanford last Sunday. Duke’s defense has been key, holding opponents to an average of 58.1 points during the win streak. Guard Ashlon Jackson has been a steady force, averaging 12.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists over the last seven contests. Forward Delaney Thomas is coming off a 19-point performance against the Cardinal. Virginia (13-4, 3-1) saw its own six-game winning streak snapped emphatically in a 79-60 home loss to Syracuse on Sunday. The Cavaliers will lean on star guard Kymora Johnson to spark a turnaround. The dynamic junior is averaging a stellar 22.0 points, 6.3 assists and 5.0 rebounds over her last six games, including a 41-point outburst against Winthrop and a 31-point, 11-assist double-double in a double-overtime win at Florida State. The matchup features a contrast in recent momentum. Duke’s perfect ACC start has been built on balanced scoring and defensive pressure, while Virginia has relied heavily on Johnson’s prolific playmaking. The Cavaliers will need more production from supporting players like center Caitlin Weimar, who had 15 points and eight rebounds against Syracuse, to counter Duke’s depth. Thursday’s contest is the only scheduled meeting between the teams this regular season. Virginia visits Pittsburgh next on Jan. 22, while Duke remains home to face Georgia Tech on Sunday.