LYNCHBURG, Va. (Interstat) — The Duke women’s basketball team used a stifling defensive effort to secure a 71-57 victory over Liberty on Sunday afternoon at the Vines Center, bouncing back from a loss earlier in the week.

The Blue Devils forced the Lady Flames into 24 turnovers, converting those miscues into 26 points. Duke’s defense was relentless, accumulating 14 steals and 7 blocks, which consistently disrupted Liberty’s offensive flow and prevented any sustained comeback attempts.

Toby Fournier led the Blue Devils with 18 points in just 23 minutes of action, showcasing efficient scoring. She was complemented by Ashlon Jackson, who added 16 points and 5 assists, and Delaney Thomas, who chipped in 12 points. In the paint, Arianna Roberson was a force, nearly recording a double-double with 9 points and 11 rebounds while also contributing defensively with 2 blocks and 2 steals. Taina Mair orchestrated the offense effectively, dishing out a team-high 7 assists.

Liberty was led by Emmy Stout, who scored a game-high 21 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Ify Nwaobi also posted a strong performance with a double-double of 8 points and 11 rebounds. However, the Lady Flames struggled with ball security throughout the contest, a key factor in the outcome.

While Duke’s own 19 turnovers and 6-for-12 shooting from the free-throw line left room for improvement, their defense and ability to score inside proved decisive. The Blue Devils outscored Liberty 36-30 in the paint and capitalized on second-chance opportunities with 12 offensive rebounds.

The win improves Duke’s record to 3-2 across all competitions this season, while Liberty evens its record at 2-2. The game was part of both teams’ non-conference schedules as they prepare for the bulk of their seasons.

Duke next travels to face South Florida on Thursday. Liberty’s next contest is at home against UVA Wise on Wednesday, Nov. 26.