CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Interstat) — In a tense Atlantic Coast Conference tournament semifinal Saturday, Duke held off a persistent Virginia team for a 74-70 victory at Spectrum Center.

The top-seeded Blue Devils led 38-36 at halftime and maintained a narrow advantage throughout the second half before a crowd of 17,781. The fourth-seeded Cavaliers could never overtake Duke, which avenged a regular-season loss.

The win sends Duke, now 32-2, to the ACC championship game. Virginia’s season record falls to 29-5 as it awaits its NCAA tournament fate.