Live Blog: Clemson at Duke

Duke showed signs of putting things together last game out, after struggling early in the ACC schedule. The Blue Devils built an early lead and held off multiple runs from Georgia Tech to emerge with a key ACC victory. The win put Duke over .500 on the season at 6-5, 4-3 in the ACC. It also snapped a three-game losing streak.

Now, the Blue Devils look to put together back-to-back wins for the first time since they won their first two games of 2021. The Blue Devils will host Clemson on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers are 10-4, 4-4 in the ACC and, like Duke, also won their last game to snap a three-game losing streak.

Duke was able to get to the free throw line against Tech, which had been a problem over the last few games. The Blue Devils will need to continue to be aggressive with driving toward the basket. Duke also needs to continue to get leadership from its older players. Coach Mike Krzyzewski said that sophomore Wendell Moore and senior Jordan Goldwire provided their best leadership of the year against the Yellow Jackets.

Several of Duke’s freshmen seem to be clicking. Jalen Johnson continued his strong play since his return to the lineup with a second-half scoring outburst to help hold off Georgia Tech. DJ Steward also had a strong game, and Mark Williams had his best outing of the season with six first-half points. Coach K said Williams has done much better in practice to earn the playing time.

Your starters: Moore, Johnson, Goldwire, Steward, Hurt

Duke runs down the shot clock and Moore takes a long three that's off the mark. Not the start Coach K wanted.

A little too aggressive for Steward as he picks up a charge. That takes us to the under 16, Duke up 6-2.

Duke comes out of the time out in a press and harasses Clemson into a turnover. Tigers were teetering on the verge of losing the ball the entire possession.

Clemson 1-of-7 to start the game. Has gotten some good looks but nothing is falling

Duke on a 7-0 run. Mark Williams has again given the Blue Devils a boost off the bench.

Duke steal, dunk and one by Johnson. Clemson follows up with another turnover. Blue Devils up 12-5 right now.

Jalen Johnson fouled on a defensive rebound and we're at the under 12, Duke up 14-5 and looking good.

Williams has such long arms. Just dunked over someone on a lob that could have been called over the back if it was a rebound

Coming out of time out, ESPN decides we need a split screen of talking Zoom heads.

Jeremy Roach continues to struggle. Gets tied up on a drive for a turnover.

While ESPN paid no attention to the game, talking about the NBA Draft, Duke built the lead into double digits, 19-8. We're at the under eight.

Roach with five straight points, his first points in the last three games.

Five straight points by Duke and Clemson gets a time out. Lead is up to 27-11.

Good time out by Clemson. Tigers score dive straight coming out of it. ESPN has yet to talk about anything happening on the court during this segment. Cory Alexander announced games are always nightmares.

Simms called for his third foul. That's very bad news for Clemson. At the under four, it's 32-20 Duke.

Clemson in a zone to try to avoid foul trouble, but Duke gets it in to Williams for a dunk.

Huge first half for Duke. At the break, Blue Devils lead 41-22. Clemson shot just 8-of-27 for the half. Duke outrebounded Clemson by five.

Duke hits two threes at the start of the half and goes up 25. Time out Clemson. Duke is 7-of-18 from three. Clemson 8-of-29 on all shots.

At the under 16, Duke is up 54-27.

Moore, Steward, Hurt and Roach all in double figures for Duke. Blue Devils up 63-34 at the under 12.

Some scoring list fun: Jalen Johnson and Jeremy Roach have both passed Harry Giles and Chase Jeter on the scoring list.

Clemson 13-3 run cuts the Duke lead to 24. Coach K calls time with just over 2 minutes left.

That'll do it. Duke wins its second straight and moves to 5-3 in the ACC with a 79-53 win.

Add us as a preferred source on Google