BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Elizabeth Kitley tied her career high with 34 points and No. 12 Virginia Tech extended its winning streak to eight with a 61-56 win over Duke on Thursday night.
Kitley, who twice scored 34 points two seasons ago, shot 13-of-17 from the floor and made 9 free throws for the Hokies (21-4, 12-2 Atlantic Coast Conference), who have won 24 straight at home. He succeeded in eight of the books. She added 12 rebounds, marking her fifth consecutive double-double and her 18th of the season.
Kitley had 11 points and five rebounds in the fourth quarter as Virginia Tech pulled away from a 42-all tie.
Georgia Amoua scored 13 points for Virginia Tech, but made just 4 of 21 shots. Amoore missed seven of his first eight shots from beyond the arc, but sank one with 20 seconds left to give the Hokies a 59-53 lead. Matilda Ek scored 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting and two 3-pointers.
Ashron Jackson hit three 3-pointers and scored 18 points to lead the Blue Devils (16-8, 8-5), whose winning streak ended at three. Raygan Richardson and backup Oluchi Onanwa each scored 11 points.
Kitley scored 10 points in the first quarter as Virginia Tech led 15-14. Amoore sank a 3-pointer, Kitley and Ek hit back-to-back jumpers, and Virginia Tech scored the final seven points to take a 30-27 lead by intermission. Duke finished the final 2 hours and 26 minutes scoreless.
Duke was the last team to beat the Hokies, winning 63-47 at home in December. The Hokies' last loss at home was a 63-52 loss to the then No. 1 Hokies. Notre Dame Game 5 in December 2022. The Hokies have won eight straight games and have defeated four top-ranked opponents.
Virginia Tech will travel to play No. 18 Louisville on Sunday. Duke returns home on Monday to face No. 16 Notre Dame in the second of four games against ranked opponents.
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