Women's Basketball Defeats Virginia 83-62

Schweitzer's 24 points lead Blue Devils to fifth victory in row
DURHAM, N.C. -- Georgia Schweitzer led four Duke Blue Devils in double digit scoring with a career-high 24 points as No. 22 Duke defeated visiting Virginia 83-62 Sunday at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The game marked the first ACC competition for both teams as Duke won its fifth straight game and improved to 6-1 overall and 1-0 in the ACC. Virginia dropped to 3-3 overall and 0-1 in the ACC.

Duke won its 17th ACC home victory in a row. The Blue Devils have now won 24 of its last 26 home ACC contests.

"I'm very proud of my team- they played a tremendous game," Duke head coach Gail Goestenkors said. "We showed a lot of poise on offense and we took care of the basketball. Against Virginia's pressure defense, you need to do that. They're a team that loves to fast break. I felt like for the most part we kept them from breaking on us because we did that and we took good shots."

Virginia couldn't overcome Schweitzer's hot shooting. The six-foot junior guard hit on eight of 12 field goals and canned four of five three-pointers in 36 minutes. Three other Blue Devils scored in double digits- Peppi Browne scored 15 points, Lauren Rice finished with a season-high 14 points and Sheana Mosch added 13 points.

Duke took control of the contest on Peppi Browne's baseline jumper with 10:31 to go in the first half. The basket triggered a span in which Duke outscored Virginia 30-12 over the final nine minutes of the first half. Goestenkors attributed that run to defense.

"I thought our defense, especially in the first half, was very, very good," Goestenkors said. "I feel like we are tested daily, and up to this point I've been very impressed becuase we continue to dig deep and come together. I feel like we're just getting better every day, and from day one, that's been the goal of this team. We know we're young and we've got people in new roles, but I think everyone's becoming very comfortable and confident with their roles. I'm very proud of my team. I thought they played a tremendous game. We showed a lot of poise on offense. We took care of the basketball. Against Virginia's pressure defense, you need to do that. They're a team that loves to fast break. I felt like for the most part we kept them from breaking on us becuase we did that and we took good shots. You need to take good shots against Virginia and if you're patient, you'll get some.

Duke connected on 83.9 percent of its free throws (26-31) and took advantage of Virginia's 21 turnovers. The Blue Devils' 52 percent field goal shooting in the first half was a season-high.

Virginia was led by Telisha Quarles' 17 points. Schuye LaRue added 12 points.

Duke is next in action when it travels to Virginia Tech Wednesday at 7 p.m.