BLACKSBURG, Va. (Interstat) — The Duke women’s basketball team entered Cassell Coliseum on Sunday carrying the weight of a five-game losing streak and a sub-.500 record. They left with a definitive statement victory, fueled by a dominant defensive performance and a career-high scoring effort from guard Taina Mair, defeating Virginia Tech 70-54 in an Atlantic Coast Conference contest.

The Blue Devils (4-6, 1-0 ACC) controlled the game from the outset, holding the Hokies (7-3, 0-1) to their lowest point total of the season. Virginia Tech, which had averaged 78.6 points in its previous three games, was stifled by Duke’s length and activity, shooting a frigid percentage from the field and committing 18 turnovers that led to 19 Duke points.

The most important stretch of the game came early, setting a tone of defensive resistance that would last all afternoon. After a back-and-forth opening few minutes, Duke locked down, holding Virginia Tech without a field goal for a span of nearly six minutes in the first quarter. During that drought, the Hokies managed only two free throws as Duke built a 10-4 lead. The Blue Devils’ interior defense, led by the shot-blocking presence of Toby Fournier and Jordan Wood, forced Virginia Tech into a series of difficult and rushed attempts, a theme that persisted throughout.

Mair, a junior from Boston, was the offensive catalyst, breaking out of a recent scoring slump with a game-high 17 points. She added five rebounds and two assists, but her impact was felt most in her steady command of the offense and defensive pressure, recording four steals. Her performance was a stark contrast to her previous three outings, where she averaged just 9.7 points.

She was complemented superbly by Fournier, the sophomore forward from Toronto. Fournier was a force on both ends, finishing with 19 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots, narrowly missing a double-double. Her ability to score inside and protect the rim was pivotal in Duke’s game plan.

Ashlon Jackson provided 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists, while the frontcourt duo of Wood and Delaney Thomas combined for 12 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks. Emilee Skinner contributed seven points and seven rebounds off the bench, part of a 27-11 advantage in bench scoring for the visitors.

Virginia Tech, playing its first game without injured star center Clara Strack, struggled to find consistent offense. Carleigh Wenzel led the Hokies with 15 points, but needed 19 shots to get there. Carys Baker added six points and five rebounds, but the team’s usually reliable three-point shooting was absent. Kilah Freelon and Mackenzie Nelson each scored six points.

Duke methodically extended its lead in the second half, never allowing Virginia Tech to mount a serious threat. The Hokies cut the deficit to 11 points early in the fourth quarter, but a quick 7-0 Duke run, capped by a Three-pointer from Ashlon Jackson, pushed the margin back to 18 with just over six minutes to play, effectively sealing the outcome.

The victory provides a crucial confidence boost for Duke as it navigates a challenging early-season schedule. After losses to ranked opponents LSU, UCLA and South Carolina in the past two weeks, securing a convincing road win in the ACC opener was paramount. For Virginia Tech, the defeat underscores the adjustment required without its primary post presence, as the Hokies were outrebounded 48-35 and outscored 38-22 in the paint.

Duke returns home to face South Dakota State on Dec. 18. Virginia Tech will look to rebound quickly, hosting Presbyterian on Wednesday.