Duke Sends Virginia To Their First Loss Of The Season

There is a first time for everything and this weekend Virginia suffered their first loss of the season down in Durham.

RJ Barrett scored 30 points, Zion Williamson had 27 and No. 1 Duke beat No. 4 Virginia 72-70 on Saturday night to give the Cavaliers their first loss of the season. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211787141&DB_OEM_ID=4200

The Blue Devils (15-2, 4-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) bounced back from an overtime loss to Syracuse that could cost them their top ranking. They avoided their first two-game losing streak at home since 2016 and proved they can win without injured point guard Tre Jones. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211787141&DB_OEM_ID=4200

DeAndre Hunter scored 18 points, and Ty Jerome and Kyle Guy had 14 apiece for the Cavaliers (16-1, 4-1), who entered as the nation's last unbeaten after No. 2 Michigan was upset at Wisconsin earlier in the day. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211787141&DB_OEM_ID=4200

The fourth matchup of top-ranked teams in the sport's history -- Virginia entered at No. 1 in the coaches' poll -- was a tournament-caliber game throughout. There were 14 ties and 15 lead changes, and it was a one-possession game for a 14 1/2-minute stretch of the second half. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211787141&DB_OEM_ID=4200

After the Cavaliers missed 11 of 12 shots during a late nine-minute stretch, they pulled within 69-66 on Guy's 3-pointer with 23 seconds left. Barrett hit two free throws with 20.9 seconds to play, and Virginia let too much time elapse before Braxton Key was fouled with 8.9 seconds remaining and hit both shots to make it 71-68. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211787141&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Cameron Reddish hit a free throw to make it a four-point game before Hunter hit a jumper before the buzzer for Virginia. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211787141&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Duke and Virginia normally only meet once during the regular season but this year however that isn’t the case as there will be a rematch in Charlottesville in twenty one days on February 9th.