Top-ranked Duke runs past Boston College

Freshman Bridgette Mitchell scored a season-high 20 points Thursday night to lead top-ranked Duke past Boston College 73-52.

Wanisha Smith added 13 points for the Blue Devils (27-0, 12-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), who have won at least 12 conference games for 10 straight seasons, an ACC record.

The Blue Devils now turn their attention toward a challenging final week of the regular season. Duke travels to sixth-ranked Maryland on Sunday, then returns home to face second-ranked North Carolina on Feb. 25. All three teams made the Final Four last season.

Kathrin Ress scored 16 points for the Eagles (12-13, 2-9).

The Eagles had ended a four-game losing streak with a win against Miami last weekend, but trailed the entire way in this one and never threatened Duke's perfect record.

By halftime, Mitchell had 14 points _ the freshman's first double-figure game since December and just her fourth all season _ on 7-for-8 shooting in 10 minutes. At one point, Mitchell scored 10 straight points for Duke, helping the Blue Devils take a 36-19 lead on a putback with 5:55 left in the half.

All seven of her baskets came in the paint, part of Duke's dominance inside. The Blue Devils scored 30 first-half points in the paint on putbacks and layups, helping them shoot 57 percent for the half.

Boston College didn't have the same success, shooting just 10-for-32 with nine turnovers to fall behind 46-27 at halftime.

The Eagles got no closer than 15 points after the break.