Kyle Singler scored 10 of his 16 points during an 18-9 run that allowed the #3 Blue Devils to build on a one-point lead early in the second half and they stayed comfortably ahead the rest of the way in an 81-64 victory Thursday night.
"It was important to keep the crowd out of it," Singler said. "Whenever you're playing away from home, it's definitely hostile and a difficult environment."
Singler made sure he didn't have to see that side of Blacksburg, even after A.D. Vassallo's 3-pointer 20 seconds into the second half pulled the Hokies close at 42-41.
"We should have carried our momentum," Hokies freshman guard Hank Thorns said, "but we allowed them to hit us back, and when they hit us, they didn't stop."
The Blue Devils (16-1, 4-0 ACC) won their sixth straight game and for the third time in the past five drama-filled meetings with the Hokies.
Singler answered Vassallo's 3-pointer with one of his own, then had three of the Blue Devils' next four baskets as they built a 53-45 lead.
When a dunk by J.T. Thompson pulled the Hokies to 53-47, the Blue Devils answered by scoring the next seven points, one on a free throw by Singler after Deron Washington was called for an intentional foul for pushing Singler after a defensive rebound by Duke.
The Hokies never challenged again.
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