Receiving-Votes Duke Tops Bruins in Non-Conference Finale

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Limited to 27 percent shooting and only 17 made field goals, the Belmont University women's basketball team suffered a 76-46 defeat to receiving-votes Duke University Saturday afternoon inside the Curb Event Center. Wrapping up a four-game homestand and closing out their non-conference schedule, the Bruins (5-7, 1-0 MVC) were unable to do much offensively against the visiting Blue Devils (6-6, 1-0 ACC), who entered the weekend receiving 13 votes in the USA TODAY Sports/Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Coaches Poll.
 
On the heels of an Elite Eight appearance last season, Duke scored 21 second-chance points and held Belmont without a fastbreak point. After allowing just 15 points in the first half, the Blue Devils scored 46 second-half points on 51.5 percent (17-of-33) shooting.
 
Going 3-for-18 (16.7 percent) from three-point range, the Bruins couldn't string together more than seven consecutive points at any point in the game. Belmont trailed by just one after the first quarter of play, but Duke used an 18-4 second quarter to build a 30-15 lead by halftime.
 
For the second-straight game, sophomore forward Hilary Fuller scored a career-high 19 points as she went 7-for-15 from the floor.
 
The Blue Devils were plus-10 (48-38) on the glass and outscored the Bruins 34-28 in the paint.
 
Duke starting forward Toby Fournier, the 2024-25 ACC Rookie of the Year, recorded a double-double with a game-high 26 points on 9-for-15 shooting and 16 rebounds.
 
After an early 2-2 tie, the Blue Devils led from the 7:25 mark of the opening quarter onward. Following an 8-0 Duke run, Fuller capped a 7-0 Belmont run with a three-pointer to keep the Bruins within a point at 10-9. A Fuller layup made it 12-11 Blue Devils following the first quarter.

All #Splashville for Hils! ?? pic.twitter.com/AvOfYVOLNE

— Belmont WBasketball (@BelmontWBB) December 20, 2025

Belmont was scoreless through the first 6:44 of the second quarter while Duke went on a 10-0 run to take a 22-11 lead. The Blue Devils closed the last 2:45 of the first half on an 8-1 run, doubling the Bruins 30-15 at the break.
 
Belmont went 1-for-19, including going 0-for-5 from beyond the arc, in the second quarter. Fuller scored 10 of the Bruins' 15 first-half points.
 
Another Fuller basket and free throws from graduate guard Tuti Jones gave Belmont the first four points of the second half. However, Duke proceeded to put together a 16-2 scoring run over a six-and-a-half minute stretch.

Hils picking up where she left off in the first half! pic.twitter.com/Rtw28nX6NK

— Belmont WBasketball (@BelmontWBB) December 20, 2025

Five-straight points from Fournier gave the Blue Devils a commanding 25-point lead at 46-21 with 2:47 to go in the third quarter. The Bruins outscored Duke 9-5 to end the third but still faced a 21-point, 51-30 deficit heading into the final quarter.
 
Belmont went 6-for-13 from the field in the third period.
 
A layup by sophomore guard Quinn Eubank began the final quarter, getting the Bruins back within 19. Unfortunately, a three from freshman guard Kate McGinnis would be Belmont's only points for the next four minutes of action as the Blue Devils went on a 14-3 run to take their first 30-point lead of the afternoon at 65-35 with six minutes left.

.@KateMcGinnis12!! pic.twitter.com/wJqkLyMRMH

— Belmont WBasketball (@BelmontWBB) December 20, 2025

The Bruins were unable to get any closer than 28 the rest of the way.
 
Belmont was outscored 25-16 in the fourth quarter, shooting just 27.8 percent (5-of-18) and going 1-for-8 from deep. Duke shot 53.3 percent (8-of-15) in the last quarter and got eight points from starting guard Riley Nelson.

After shooting 18.8 percent (6-of-32) in the first half, the Bruins shot 35.5 percent (11-of-31) in the second half.
 
Jones finished with six points, six rebounds, a team-high four assists and a trio of steals. Eubank pulled down a team-best nine rebounds.
 
Nelson tallied 17 points for the Blue Devils and Duke got a game-high eight assists and nine points from starting guard Ashlon Jackson. The Blue Devils' Delaney Thomas posted 10 points and nine boards.

Of Note

• The 30-point loss is Belmont's largest margin of defeat since last November's 79-47 setback at Duke.
• The last time the Bruins were held below 20 points in a half was also against the Blue Devils on Nov. 21 last year. Belmont scored just 17 first-half points in its loss to Duke in Durham, North Carolina.
• The Bruins fall to 0-3 all-time versus the Blue Devils.
• Belmont slips to 5-19 all-time against current Atlantic Coast Conference members.
• Fuller has scored in double figures in a team-best nine games this season.

Up Next
The Bruins have a nine-day break from game action before returning to Missouri Valley Conference play on Monday, Dec. 29 at Southern Illinois. Tipoff from the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Illinois, is scheduled for 6 p.m. Belmont's final game of 2025 will be broadcast on ESPN+.
 
Season Tickets
Season tickets, which include all Belmont women's and men's basketball home games, are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting BelmontBruins.com/Tickets or calling 615-460-BALL. Flex pack plans for the 2025-26 season are also on sale and can be purchased here.
 
How to Follow
Follow Belmont women's basketball on social media - @BelmontWBB on X, formerly Twitter, @belmontwbb on Instagram and Belmont Women's Basketball on Facebook - for complete coverage of the Bruins. Stay up to date with all of Belmont's athletic programs via the official app of the Belmont Bruins, available both in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.