Field Level Media
Feb 25, 2023
Jeremy Roach recorded a 19-point, 10-assist double-double to lead host Duke to an 81-65 victory over Virginia Tech on Saturday night in Atlantic Coast Conference action in Durham, N.C.
Roach connected on 8 of 13 shots from the field for the Blue Devils (21-8, 12-6 ACC), who won their fourth straight game. Mark Mitchell finished with 17 points and eight rebounds, Dereck Lively II finished with 13 points and Kyle Filipowski notched 12 as all five Duke starters scored in double figures.
The Blue Devils shot a scorching 56.6 percent (30 of 53) from the field and hit 14 of 17 shots at the free-throw line. They also connected on 7 of 18 (38.9 percent) 3-point attempts.
Grant Basile led the Hokies (16-13, 6-12) with 15 points on 5-for-10 shooting. Sean Pedulla contributed 12 points, while Justyn Mutts and Rodney Rice each chipped in 11.
Virginia Tech converted just 23 of 57 (40.4 percent) shots from the floor, including 8 of 19 (42.1 percent) from beyond the arc. The Hokies also struggled on the glass, getting outrebounded 37-26.
MJ Collins' layup with 18:22 left to play pulled Virginia Tech within eight points, but it was all downhill from there for the Hokies. Duke responded with a 16-0 run, highlighted by a pair of 3-pointers from Roach, and later extended its lead to 25 with 5:11 remaining after Filipowski hit a pair of free throws.
It was a fast start for the Blue Devils, who went up 19-5 within the first seven minutes of the game. Rice hit a trey with 10:39 left in the first half to cut the Hokies' deficit to six, but that was as close as they would get, and Duke took an 11-point edge into the break.
Mitchell led all first-half scorers with 11 points, while Mutts paced Virginia Tech with eight. The Blue Devils shot 56.3 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes of action, while the Hokies shot 37.9 percent.
--Field Level Media