Live Blog: Duke at NC State
Duke will attempt to get back to .500 in a place that has given it trouble in recent years. The Blue Devils head to PNC Arena in Raleigh to face NC State. The Wolfpack have beaten Duke in the Blue Devils last two trips to Raleigh and four of the last five.
The Blue Devils are trying to turn around their worst season in generations. The Blue Devils have a losing record for the first time since 1999 at 7-8, 5-6 in the ACC. They’re currently on their second three-game losing streak of the season and have lost six of the last eight. The Blue Devils have also lost four road games in a row.
Duke has been performing well on offense recently. The Blue Devils have hit 51-of-89 two-point attempts over the last two games and 21-of-47 from three. The Blue Devils have struggled to get to the free throw line, which has been a season-long problem.
Duke’s major problem, however, has been on defense. Duke is No. 329 in the nation in three-point defense, and opponents have hit 28-of-53 from three over the last three games.
The Blue Devils have gone deeper into their bench recently, with freshmen big men Mark Williams and Henry Coleman coming into their own and earning more playing time.
State has also fallen on hard times. The Wolfpack have lost three of their last four and seven of nine since starting the season 6-1, 2-0 in the ACC. The Pack is still looking to piece things together after losing leading scorer Devon Daniels to a season-ending injury four games ago.
Your starters: Moore, Steward, Roach, Goldwire, Williams
The officials: Ron Groover, John Gaffney, Tommy Morrissey
And Duke makes a late change to the lineup, replacing Goldwire with Hurt, who picks up a foul 17 seconds in.
Hurt makes the decision look good with two early threes. Duke leads 10-8 at the under 16.
Duke challenging State shots inside and forcing turnovers. 8-0 run capped by Hurt's third three and State calls time, which will be the under 12. Duke up 19-10.
Hurt hits a long two after putting it on the floor to go up double digits. Hurt then picks up a second foul and heads to the bench.
State with its eighth turnover. Moore takes it all the way. The run is 14-0.
Brakefield hits a three, then Moore gets another steal. Duke up 28-12 with the ball
State blocks two Williams dunk attempts and we go to the under 8 with Duke up 16.
Roach floater puts the lead up to 20. State has 10 turnovers and six made baskets.
State gets back-to-back second-chance buckets and Coach K calls time. 33-17, 4:25 to go in the half.
State gets it below 20 but it was all Duke in the first half. Duke goes to the locker room up 39-21.
Duke has yet to miss this half. At the under 16, Blue Devils still cruising at 46-27.
Hurt now 6-for-6 from three today as Duke continues to roll in an uneventful second half. Mark Williams has a career high 13.
And Hurt takes an ugly leaning three where I think he was trying to draw a foul, for his first miss from outside. We hit the under four with Duke up 69-50
And that'll do it. Duke wins 69-53 to pull back to .500 on the year.
