Rapid Recap: Duke tops Virginia 65-55 as Tatum goes off for 28

First, it was Tyus Jones, then Brandon Ingram, and now Jayson Tatum in the long line of Duke freshman who have given Virginia fits. Tatum took control of the second half with 21 points in the last 20 minutes of the game to lead the Blue Devils with 28 as #12 Duke took down #14 Virginia 65-55. London Perrantes led the way for Virginia with 14 points as the Hoos struggled offensively in the second half, shooting just 37% from the field for the game. The Hoos drop to 18-7 (8-5 ACC).

First years Mamadi Diakite (six rebounds), Ty Jerome (13 points), and Kyle Guy (three points) all had big moments in the game, including this huge three by Guy to close Duke’s lead to one:

The Hoos closed to within one on that play, but couldn’t retake the lead down the stretch as Jayson Tatum was unstoppable both in the lane and with the jumpshot.

Virginia took a 25-21 lead into halftime in a total defensive rock fight of a first half. Virginia jumped out to a 9-2 lead, but Duke rattled off a 10-0 run to take the lead. Perrantes stopped the bleeding with a three pointer, and the two teams traded baskets for the remainder of the half. Virginia shot just 32% from the field (25% from three), and let the Duke defense force them into two first half shot clock violations (not the good kind). Perrantes had seven first half points, with Marial Shayok adding five and Jack Salt four. Salt had two of the first three buckets, but went to the bench early with two fouls.

Defensively, Ty Jerome had a couple nice sequences on Grayson Allen, and Mamadi Diakite came up with a block in the first half. The Hoos had some issues fouls in the first half, putting Duke in the bonus with over six minutes to play. The Blue Devils couldn’t take advantage, failing to get to the line for the last 6:44 of the half. Duke finished the half shooting 33% from the field and 38% from three. Jayson Tatum led the Blue Devils with seven first half points, and the Hoos limited to Grayson Allen and Luke Kennard to just a three-pointer each. Virginia forced eight first half turnovers, three of which came from Tatum.

The second half started all Duke as Matt Jones and Tatum got easy buckets and Jones hit a three to give Duke a four point lead. Duke’s Amile Jefferson went to the bench with his fourth foul with over 15 minutes left in the game, but Virginia was unable to capitalize as the Blue Devils made it difficult to get a clean look inside.

Virginia’s offense struggled mightily, especially considering they snagged 12 offensive rebounds but only had four second chance points in the game. No one got into a rhythm for the Hoos, and this game showed Virginia’s issues with having no post presence. Isaiah Wilkins went 1-for-5 from the floor with just four points, his second game with struggles offensively as he went 2-for-8 in the loss at Virginia Tech.

Virginia has now lost two games back-to-back twice this season, dropping games to Florida State and Pitt earlier in the season. There’s no rest for the Hoos as they head to Chapel Hill on Saturday, then host Miami on Monday night.