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GREENSBORO, N.C. — No. 13 Virginia couldn’t summon enough offense to match its defensive prowess in the ACC Tournament championship game Saturday night at Greensboro Coliseum. The Cavaliers gave it all they had, and kept the game surprisingly close despite immense offensive deficiencies, but No. 21 Duke held on for a 59-49 victory.
UVA closed the deficit to six late in the game before Blue Devils point guard Jeremy Roach took over. The junior guard scored 11 of Duke’s final 15 points to close the door on the Cavaliers. As the final seconds ticked down, the pro-Duke crowd erupted into a deafening roar.
The Blue Devils (26-8) secured their 22nd ACC Tournament championship and the first for first-year coach Jon Scheyer. Scheyer won ACC Tournament titles in 2009 and ‘10 as a Duke player.
Virginia (26-7) fell short in its quest for its fourth tournament championship. The Cavaliers are still a lock to hear their name called for the NCAA Tournament on Selection Sunday.
Playing its first ACC Tournament without Mike Krzyzewski at the helm since 1980, Duke never trailed, shot 42.2% and had a 33-30 rebounding advantage. The Blue Devils scored 13 points off of 12 UVA turnovers.
Virginia shot only 33% (16 for 48) and made only 4 of 17 3-pointers. Its 12 turnovers were its most since its 14 at Syracuse on Jan. 30.
Duke extended its winning streak to nine games. Its last loss came in overtime at Virginia on Feb. 11.
Duke freshman forward Kyle Filipowski had 20 points, 10 rebounds and three steals after being held scoreless in the first meeting with the Cavaliers. He was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Filipowski, the ACC’s Rookie of the Year, has logged double-doubles in four of the last five games and leads all Division I freshmen with 16 double-doubles.
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Cavaliers junior guard Reece Beekman had 12 points, four steals and four assists, but he turned the ball over four times. Freshman guard Isaac McKneely scored 10 points, and junior post player Kadin Shedrick had five points, a team-high seven rebounds and a blocked shot.
Virginia cut Duke’s second-half lead to 38-32 on a pair of Beekman free throws followed by a 3-pointer from McKneely. But almost immediately, Duke regained control with a Tyrese Proctor 3-pointer from the right corner and a steal and dunk by Filipowski.
Duke extended its lead to 10 when Roach took over. He scored 23 points and went 7 for 7 at the free-throw line.
The Blue Devils led 24-17 at the half. UVA made only 6 of 22 shots from the floor, went 1 for 7 from behind the 3-point line and made only 4 of 8 free throws. What’s more, the Cavaliers turned the ball over seven times and were outscored in the paint 14-6.
The Cavaliers’ 17 first-half points were the fewest ever in the first half of an ACC Tournament final. N.C. State also had 17 in the 1970 championship game.
Virginia held Duke in check for much of the first half but was unable to generate any offense. The Blue Devils did just enough to maintain control.
Duke opened the game with six straight points. Virginia finally got on the board more than three minutes in on a 3-pointer from the right wing from Armaan Franklin.