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Courtesy: Duke Photography
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DURHAM, N.C. - The sixth-ranked Duke women's basketball team concluded its home regular season schedule in style Friday night.
First the Blue Devils honored seniors Joy Cheek, Keturah Jackson and Bridgette Mitchell before the tip as part of Senior Night.
Then they celebrated their first ACC regular season title since the 2006-7 season and the first for Joanne P. McCallie as Duke head coach with a 83-65 win over eighteenth ranked Virginia.
"It's special," Cheek said. "It's great to do it again, especially as a senior."
The ACC regular season title is the ninth in school history and ensures the Blue Devils of a No. 1 seed when the ACC Tournament kicks off next weekend from Greensboro, N.C. The Blue Devils will receive a bye on the first day of the tournament kicking off their quest for an ACC Tournament Championship on Friday.
"I think it's just great and reflects this team totally," McCallie said. "This team has been working hard since summer, everyone has done their part. They've been steady and consistent and it's really been the team's mindset. It's special for Duke, it's always special to capture titles, that's what it's all about."
The trio of seniors has guided sixth-ranked Duke to a 24-4 record this year, an 12-1 mark in ACC game and a 108-22 mark over their careers.
The Duke seniors combined to score 18 of the Blue Devils 34 first-half points with Cheek leading the way with eight. The senior led attack overcame a five point deficit to head into the half with a 34-32 advantage.
While seniors used their experience in the first half to will the team back from the early deficit, Jasmine Thomas took over in the second half, scoring team-high 21 points, as the seniors continued to contribute with energy, hustle and timely plays.
"It was just a tremendous second half by everybody," McCallie said. "I'm very proud of our team, it was great team basketball, much better defense, rebounding, and attacking."
Cheek led the senior trio with 13 points, six rebounds, two blocks and a steal. Mitchell chipped in with eight points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Jackson was also solid throughout running the point for Duke finishing with four points, four rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal.
In all the seniors combined for 25 points.
"I'm very happy for the seniors," McCallie said. "I thought all of them played pretty well and were very aggressive."
McCallie stayed perfect against Virginia (4-0) while capturing Duke's 16th straight win against an ACC opponent from Cameron Indoor Stadium, which dates back to the 2007-08 season.
For McCallie it is her seventh regular season conference title as a head coach with the third-year Duke head coach claiming five at Maine and one at Michigan State.
The Blue Devils finished 14-1 from Cameron Indoor Stadium on the season with the seniors ending on a high note.
"I still don't think of this as the last game," Cheek said. "I think the last the NCAA game that we have will resonant a little more. I felt like I was coming back after tonight. That was the mindset that I had. I guess I'll have another senior night."
The Blue Devils host the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament.
