Virginia Tech needed to separate itself from other bubble teams. Beating the No. 1 team in the country should help as the Hokies dumped top-ranked Duke 64-60 on a day when nine ranked teams fell.
Terrell Bell scored 12 points, including five consecutive to give Virginia Tech the lead for good, and the Hokies beat No. 1 Duke 64-60 on Saturday night.
The Hokies (19-8, 9-5 Atlantic Coast Conference), badly in need of a signature victory to enhance their NCAA tournament credentials, got it thanks to 12-4 run during a span of 4½ minutes that turned a 53-47 deficit into a 62-57 lead with 2 minutes remaining. The Blue Devils (26-3, 12-2) had chances in the closing minute to pull even when Virginia Tech struggled at the free throw line, but couldn't capitalize. Duke had its seven-game winning streak snapped and allowed the Hokies to get a badly boost to their NCAA hopes.