Virginia Falls At No. 12 Duke, 78-70

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DURHAM, N.C. Monica Wright scored 23 points to lead Virginia, but the Cavaliers fell to No. 12/11 Duke, 78-70, Sunday afternoon at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Aisha Mohammed added 18 points and 14 rebounds for UVa.

Mohammed led the Cavaliers (20-8, 8-4 ACC) in the first half with 10 points and nine boards, helping UVa erase a six-point Duke advantage early in the period. By halftime, the score had been tied three times and the lead had changed hands twice but the Blue Devils held a slim 31-30 lead.

Virginia opened the second half by going on an 8-0 run, capped off by a fast break layup by Wright to take a 38-31 lead with 18:09 left.

Duke (21-7, 10-3 ACC) battled back throughout the half and eventually took the lead, 63-61, on a Wanisha Smith layup with 4:35 left. The Cavaliers were within four points in the final minute but Duke was able to convert free throws down the stretch to hang on for the victory.

Paulisha Kellum also stood out for the Cavaliers, netting 15 points, grabbing six rebounds and dishing out six assists. Senior point guard Sharnee Zoll, who earlier this week became the ACC’s all-time assist leader, had five helpers and upped her career total to 736.

Virginia is back in action Thursday, Feb. 28, at Boston College.