WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Blue Devils took down the Hokies in the Sweet 16, 75-73. Virginia Tech had a great chance to tie the game with a perfectly executed inbounds play with just over one second left. Ahmed Hill's attempted layup in front of the basket rolled out, and Duke survived yet another last second thriller.
Tech was the dominate team early, leading much of the first half. The Hokies held a four-point lead at break of 38-34.
Duke responded with a second half push to regain the lead.
Tre Jones poured in a career high with 22 points, and Duke superstar Zion Williamson led the way with 23 points on 11 of 14 shooting.
Kerry Blackshear has 16 of Virginia Tech's 33 rebounds tonight to go along with 18 points. Ahmed Hill finished with 15 points and Justin Robinson had 14.
Duke will now go on to play Michigan State in the Elite 8. The Spartans handled LSU 80-63 to advance.
The Hokies were leading 38-34 at halftime of the East Region semifinals after hitting seven 3-pointers, with Ahmed Hill scoring 13 points and nearly making a running shot from near halfcourt at the horn. Wabissa Bede added 10 for the Hokies, who shot 45 percent.
Duke freshman point guard Tre Jones has 12 points to lead the Blue Devils, while star freshman Zion Williamson has 11 points. Duke is shooting 52 percent but went without a basket for the last 3:29 of the half.
Duke freshman starter Cam Reddish did not play in the game due to a knee issue.
The East regional semifinal between Duke and Virginia Tech is a rematch of the regular season matchup that the Hokies won 77-72. But this time around Duke has big man Zion Williamson available, and much more is on the line.
Virginia Tech was also down a player in that regular season matchup against Duke, as Justin Robinson was out with an injury.