No. 7 Duke holds off Virginia Tech

  • Associated Press
  • Saturday, February 28, 2009 3:21pm
  • SportsSports

BLACKSBURG, Va. — Kyle Singler scored 19 of his 21 points in the second half and threw a long pass for a breakaway layup on an inbounds play in the final minute Saturday as No. 7 Duke withstood a furious rally by Virginia Tech and beat the Hokies 72-65.

The Blue Devils (24-5, 10-4 Atlantic Coast Conference), who saw the Hokies erase a 12-point deficit to pull even with six minutes left, won their fourth in a row and stayed a game behind ACC-leading North Carolina. The No. 4 Tar Heels beat Georgia Tech in an early game.

A.D. Vassallo scored 26 points for Virginia Tech (17-11, 7-7), including all 15 in a 15-4 run that drew them even, but the Hokies’ NCAA tournament hopes were dealt a harsh blow.

They still have games against the Tar Heels and at Florida State, and coach Seth Greenberg has said he thinks they needed to win of them to gain a bid.

Gerald Henderson also scored 21 for the Blue Devils, 17 in the first half, and added six assists, while John Scheyer scored 16. The rest of the Blue Devils totaled 14 points.

Vassallo also grabbed 10 rebounds for the Hokies, and Jeff Allen and J.T. Thompson each scored 13. Scoring leader Malcolm Delaney missed 10 of his 12 shots and scored just seven.

Duke led by as many as 16 in the first half and 12 in the second, but had given all that back until Singler hit two free throws with 4:25 left to snap a 58-all tie. Henderson added two free throws and Singler got loose for a layup, giving Duke a 64-58 edge with 1:23 left.

After Allen hit a free throw for the Hokies, Thompson forced a jump ball on Allen’s miss, getting the Hokiees the ball, and Allen’s leaning bank shot made it 64-61 with 1:06 left.

But Greg Paulus and Singler each made a free throw, and after Dorenzo Hudson’s two free throws for the Hokies made it 66-63, Singler found Paulus all alone beyond the midcourt line and threw a baseball pass that Paulus took in for a backbreaking layup with 33 seconds left.

The Hokies trailed all game until Vassallo got hot. He hit 3-pointers 38 seconds apart to pull Tech to within 56-49, and it was just the start of a 15-4 run in which he scored all of Virginia Tech’s points, finally getting them even at 58 on a 3-pointer with 6 minutes left.

Henderon and Scheyer scored eight points each as the Blue Devils took a 20-5 lead after the first 10 minutes. The Hokies missed 12 of their first 14 shots and had seven turnovers.

Virginia Tech closed to within nine three times later in the half, but the Blue Devils responded with a basket each time and went into the locker room leading 36-25.

Duke played without point guard Nolan Smith, who sustained a concussion in the Blue Devils’ victory at Maryland on Wednesday night. He’s out indefinitely, while the Hokies were without backup point guard Hank Thorns, who was ill.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Cal Raleigh wins 2025 MLB Home Run Derby

Cal Raleigh called his shot years ago. In a childhood video spreading… Continue reading

Portland Fire unveil name, branding as WNBA’s 15th team

A flame is being reignited for Portland’s new WNBA franchise. On Tuesday,… Continue reading

Silvertips forward Shea Busch participates in the Florida Panthers development camp at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on July 1, 2025. Florida selected Busch in the fourth round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft on June 28. (Photo courtesy Shea Busch)
Shea Busch experiences whirlwind NHL Draft week

The Florida Panthers selected the Silvertips forward in the fourth round on June 28.

Late Mystics surge dooms Storm as stars struggle

Seattle dropped to 13-9 after shooting 36.2% from the field.

Jorge Polanco (7), right, of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his ninth inning home run with J.P. Crawford (3) while playing the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Detroit. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Mariners sweep Tigers on way to All-Star break

The Detroit Tigers still have the best record in baseball,… Continue reading

Mariners select LSU pitcher with No. 3 pick in MLB draft

College baseball’s best pitcher is coming to the Emerald City. The Seattle… Continue reading

Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates winning championship point against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during the Gentlemen's Singles Final on day 14 of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in London. (Julian Finney / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Sinner conquers Alcaraz for his first Wimbledon title

The vision of Jannik Sinner covered in sweat and… Continue reading

Rome Odunze scans the field in a scrimmage at his youth football camp at Archbishop Murphy High School on July 10, 2025. The former University of Washington star is entering his second NFL season with the Chicago Bears. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Odunze ‘gives back’ in Everett youth football camp

The former University of Washington star hosts a single-day camp at Archbishop Murphy on Thursday.

The New York Yankees' Aaron Judge, top right, celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off sacrifice fly ball during the 10th inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, July 10, 2025, in New York. (Justin Casterline / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Yankees walk off Mariners on Judge’s sac fly for series sweep

Seattle blows 5-0 lead after Bryan Woo takes no-hitter into eighth inning.

Raleigh says Munoz tipped pitches during Yankees’ comeback

The Yankees had a bead on Seattle Mariners closer Andrés Muñoz. That’s… Continue reading

Midfielder Christian Soto dribbles up field during Snohomish United's 5-1 win against the Tacoma Stars at Stockers Fields on July 9, 2025 (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Snohomish United keeps playoff hopes alive in home finale

With 5-1 win against Tacoma, the USL2 club’s focus on local talent keys success in inaugural season.

AquaSox down Devils for consecutive wins

The AquaSox were on a 2-10 stretch coming into the series.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.