Virginia Cavaliers at Spectrum Center: Can Virginia turn 12 blocks into a finish against Duke Blue Devils?

The Virginia Cavaliers entered 29-7 against the Duke Blue Devils at 32-3, and Duke closed out 74-70 at 9:30 PM EDT at Spectrum Center. The neutral-site ACC Championship featured 12 ties and 16 lead changes as UVA finished with 70 and the Devils finished with 74.

First half

Virginia opened with 36 first-half points while Duke answered with 38 before halftime. UVA shot 44 percent from the field in the game, and the Hoos produced 32 points in the paint on 16 makes. Virginia’s interior activity showed up in 12 blocks, a number that limited Duke to 38 percent shooting overall. Duke’s edge in the half came with 16 offensive rebounds in the game, and those extra chances fed 13 second-chance points.

Second half

Virginia matched Duke at 36-34 in second-half scoring, and the Cavaliers kept pressure on the rim with 15 makes at the rim on 71 percent finishing. UVA’s perimeter line added 8 made 3-point shots on 33 percent shooting, and the Hoos paired that with 14 made free throws on 88 percent. The Devils stayed connected with 15 assists and 6 steals, and Duke’s 9 turnovers helped keep its shot volume high at 65 field goal attempts.

Late-game margins

Virginia’s late push came with 11 fast-break points and 9 points off turnovers, but UVA’s 12 turnovers left possessions on the floor in a 4-point game. Duke’s control of the glass showed in 41 total rebounds, and that rebounding margin offset Virginia’s 12 blocks and Duke’s 12 shots blocked by opponents. Sam Lewis’s previous-game line of 17 points and 2 blocks and Ugonna Onyenso’s previous-game 9 blocks reflected the shot-blocking identity that again surfaced in this Virginia Cavaliers vs Duke Blue Devils recap.

After the horn

Virginia Cavaliers vs Duke Blue Devils result analysis starts with UVA’s 88 percent at the line against Duke’s 80 percent, while Duke’s 16 offensive rebounds created the extra possessions that separated the teams. The post game analysis also points to Duke’s 15 assists against Virginia’s 9, a distribution gap that complemented the Devils’ 11 points off turnovers. Virginia Cavaliers coach post-game reaction can center on UVA holding Duke to 38 percent shooting while still needing answers for the rebounding deficit created by 16 Duke offensive boards. Share this article and keep it moving with fellow Hoos fans who tracked every swing in Charlotte.