Virginia actually held the lead 31-25 at the half Saturday at vaunted Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, but fell apart in the second half as they lost to Duke 76-60.
Duke could not hit the broadside of a barn in the first half, but their shots started falling in the second-half as All-ACC performer Nolan Smith lit the Hoos up scoring 29 points for the number one ranked Blue Devils. Kyle Singler, and Andre Dawkins were the only two other Duke players to finish in double figures on the afternoon.
Tony Bennett looked emotionally drained and physically exhausted at the end of the game as he shook Mike Krzyzewki’s hand after the loss. Duke won their sixteenth game of the season, and Virginia lost their second game in a row bringing them to 10-7 on the season, and 1-2 in the ACC.
Mike Zrzyzewki is now 49-16 against the Wahoos, and Duke has won fifteen of the last sixteen in the series. Duke has won fourteen of the past fifteen between the two ACC foes by more than ten points.
Virginia was led by Mustapha Farrakhan (15 points), who had twelve points in the first half, but he only scored three in the second stanza as Virginia was completely out of rhythm on both ends of the floor after the break. Also scoring in double figures for the Wahoos was Joe Harris (15 points), most of which were in the first half as well.
Duke out-rebounded Virginia 42-31, and the Blue Devils were brilliant at the free-throw line finishing 17-20. Virginia shot 16-23 from the line.
The Wahoos return to the hardwood Wednesday, as they travel to Chestnut Hill to play Boston College at 7 p.m. Go Hoos!