Duke Escapes Again as Virginia Tech Misses tip-in in the Final Seconds
Timothy Holcombe, Staff Writer
Ahmad Hill as he misses the game tying tip in. Photo courtesy of the News and Observer
Duke’s big three came in clutch on Friday night as the Blue Devils defeated the Hokies 75-73. Virginia Tech had an opportunity to tie the ball game in the final seconds of regulation as Ahmad missed a wide-open tip in at the buzzer to send the Blue Devils to the Elite 8 to face the Michigan State Spartans. The two teams were pretty even through out the game as Tech took the lead into halftime 38-34. Duke came out hot in the second half and was able to rely on Duke’s big three: Zion Williamson, Cam Reddish and Tre Jones combined to score 63 of the Blue Devils 75 points.
Jones broke through with 22 points on the ball game. Jones had been struggling shooting starting in the regular season and into the ACC tournament and at moments in the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament. Not on this night however as he was the second leading scorer for both teams on the night only behind Zion who scored 23.
Virginia Tech who came in as an underdog fought tooth and nail with the team that many considered to be one of the best teams that Duke has ever had, despite their recent struggles. Tech led a more balanced attack with four players in double-digit scoring lead by Kery Blackshear Jr. who posted a double-double with 18 points and 16 rebounds and 5 assists as he was a dominant force early.
Ahmed Hill chipped in 15 points and had the crucial miss with 1.1 seconds left in the game with Duke leading 75-73,.Tech had the ball under the Duke basket when a lob was lofted for Hill right in front of the basket and had a wide open look and saw it pull to the left and glance off the rim as time expired.
This is the second straight game in which Duke has won by two points or less as last week. Duke pulled out a narrow 1-point victory over Taco Fall and UCF. The Blue Devils have no room to take a breath as they will take on the Spartans of Michigan State on Sunday. Duke will need to rely heavily on their big three if they are going to advance to the Final Four in Minneapolis next weekend.
As for Virginia Tech, they end the season 26-9 on the season led by Blackshear and Justin Robinson. The Hokies who had pulled away from Liberty University in the Round of 32 after dismantling St. Louis in the first round, challenged the Blue Devil Defense in transition while attacking the rim with Blackshear leading the charge down low. But in the end it was not enough as Duke moves on to the Elite 8.
