Women's Basketball ACCtion: Friday, February 1
Duke and Virginia won league home games.
Duke's Joy Cheek reacts to her three-point shot in the second half of a college basketball game against Virginia Tech in Durham, N.C., Friday, Feb. 1, 2008. Duke won, 85-50, over Virginia Tech. (AP Photo/Sara D. Davis)

Duke's Joy Cheek reacts to her three-point shot in the second half of a college basketball game against Virginia Tech in Durham, N.C., Friday, Feb. 1, 2008. Duke won, 85-50, over Virginia Tech. (AP Photo/Sara D. Davis)

Feb. 1, 2008

Virginia Tops NC State, 74-49, For Third-Straight Win

CHARLOTTESVILLE - Virginia topped NC State, 74-49, and senior point guard Sharneé Zoll barely missed her first-career double-double with 12 assists and eight points while directing a balanced Virginia squad to its third-straight win.

Zoll was the catalyst, helping three Cavaliers score in double figures as she approaches the ACC's all-time assists mark. For her career, Zoll has now handed out 687 helpers and is 43 away from breaking former UVa great Dawn Staley's record of 729.

Lyndra Littles led all players with 17 points while Monica Wright filled the stat sheet with 16 points, six rebounds, five assists, four steals and two blocks. Paulisha Kellum, meanwhile, netted 10 points and dished out three assists.

The Cavaliers jumped out to a quick 17-10 lead on a layup by Kellum with 11:08 left in the first half. NC State responded with a 5-0 run to pull within two on a Lucy Ellison layup, but the Cavaliers countered with a 7-0 run of their own to go up 24-15 with 7:44 left.

On the strength of 13 first-half points by Littles and a 53.3 percent shooting percentage, Virginia led 42-20 at halftime.

NC State got no closer than 13 points in the second half as Virginia finished strong with contributions from every available player.

Aisha Mohammed finished with eight points and nine rebounds, while Britnee Millner (two points, two steals), Kristen London (two points, one block), Tara McKnight, Enongé Stovall (five rebounds, seven points, two blocks) and Kelly Hartig (two blocks) all saw key minutes down the stretch.

Khadijah Whittington led NC State with 15 points and nine rebounds. Shayla Fields (12 points) and Sharnise Beal (12 points) also had strong efforts for the Wolfpack.

No. 9 Duke Topples Virginia Tech, 85-50

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) - Wanisha Smith and Joy Cheek scored 14 points each to lead No. 9 Duke to a 85-50 win over Virginia Tech in its last game before hosting rival North Carolina on Monday.

Chante Black added 11 points and Krystal Thomas contributed 10 for the Blue Devils, who got their first win since losing to No. 2 Tennessee 67-64 on Monday.

Andrea Barbour scored 15 points and Brittany Cook had 14 to lead the Hokies (13-9, 0-7 Atlantic Coast Conference).

The Blue Devils (16-5, 5-1 in the ACC) flashed an offensive firepower in the second half that they'll need against the Tar Heels, who lead the nation in scoring offense. Duke shot 59.5 percent from the floor in the second half.

After closing the first half by going the last 6:08 without a basket, Duke diversified its offense. Most of the Blue Devils' first-half baskets came in the paint.