Boozer's 24 points carry No. 4 Duke to 72-58 victory over Virginia Tech

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Cameron Boozer scored 24 points to lead No. 4 Duke to a 72-58 victory over Virginia Tech on Saturday for its ninth straight win.

Boozer, coming off a 19-point effort in the Blue Devils’ 83-52 victory over No. 20 Louisville on Monday, connected on 9 of 12 from the floor, grabbed eight rebounds and had five assists for Duke (20-1, 9-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), which moved to 7-0 in true road games this season.

Duke has won 31 of its past 32 games against ACC opponents.

Amani Hansberry paced Virginia Tech (16-7, 5-5) with 20 points.

Duke never trailed and led by as many as 13 in the second half before the Hokies rallied. Desperately seeking a Quad 1 victory in hopes of bolstering its NCAA Tournament hopes — the Hokies have just one all season — Virginia Tech cut the Duke lead to 62-56 on a jumper by Jailen Bedford with 6:10 remaining.

But Boozer answered for the Blue Devils, scoring the next seven points, the last three on a 3-pointer with 1:30 remaining that gave Duke a 69-56 lead and the Blue Devils pulled away.

The ACC’s best scoring defense (64.6 ppg) coming into the game, Duke held Virginia Tech to just two points in the final six minutes, forcing four turnovers and limiting the Hokies to 1 of 7 from the floor in that span.

Maliq Brown and Isaiah Evans each had 11 points for Duke, which shot 52.5% (31 of 59).

Bedford finished with 12 points for Virginia Tech, and Ben Hammond had 11, but the Hokies shot just 41.8% (23 of 55) and made just 7 of 26 from beyond the 3-point arc.

Duke hosts Boston College on Tuesday.

Virginia Tech plays at N.C. State on Saturday.

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Duke guard Isaiah Evans (3) gets by Virginia Tech guard Jailen Bedford (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Blacksburg, Va. (AP Photo/Robert Simmons)

Duke guard Isaiah Evans (3) shoots over Virginia Tech forward Amani Hansberry (13) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Blacksburg, Va. (AP Photo/Robert Simmons)

Duke forward Cameron Boozer (12) is stoppped by Virginia Tech forward Tobi Lawal (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Blacksburg, Va. (AP Photo/Robert Simmons)

Duke forward Cameron Boozer (12) shoots over Virginia Tech forward Tobi Lawal (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Blacksburg, Va. (AP Photo/Robert Simmons)

Duke forward Cameron Boozer (12) drives by Virginia Tech forward Tobi Lawal (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Blacksburg, Va. (AP Photo/Robert Simmons)

HOUSTON (AP) — Milos Uzan had 16 points and No. 10 Houston won its 38th straight game over an unranked opponent with a 76-54 victory against Cincinnati on Saturday.

Emanuel Sharp, Chris Cenac Jr. and Isiah Harwell each scored 13 for the Cougars (19-2, 7-1 Big 12).

Cenac scored all of his points in the first half on 5-of-7 shooting as the Cougars built a 32-20 lead at the half.

Houston won its 16th straight home game and its 14th straight over the Bearcats (11-11, 3-6).

Houston shot 46% and 9 of 26 on 3-pointers. It forced 19 turnovers and converted them into 26 points.

The Cougars finished with four turnovers and held a 26-8 advantage in points in the paint.

Jalen Celestine had 15 points and Keyshuan Tillery scored 14 for Cincinnati. The Bearcats shot 38% and went 10 of 23 on 3-pointers.

Leading 16-13 with about eight minutes left in the first half, Houston outscored Cincinnati 16-5 over a nearly seven-minute span to take a 32-18 lead on a jumper by Mercy Miller.

Houston’s lead never dipped below double-digits the rest of the way.

Cincinnati: Hosts West Virginia on Thursday.

Houston: Hosts Central Florida on Wednesday.

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Houston guard Isiah Harwell, right, is fouled by Cincinnati guard Jizzle James, left, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Houston guard Kingston Flemings (4) drives past Cincinnati guard Jizzle James (2) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Cincinnati head coach Wes Miller signals to his team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Houston, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Houston guard Isiah Harwell, right, shoots over Cincinnati guard Day Day Thomas, left, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Houston guard Milos Uzan (7) is defended by Cincinnati guard Day Day Thomas (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)