Live Blog: Georgia Tech at Duke
Duke host Georgia Tech on Tuesday night, looking to snap a three-game losing streak that has the Blue Devils off to their worst 10-game start since 1983. Duke is 5-5, 3-3 in the ACC.
Coach Mike Krzyzewski was pleased with Duke’s effort in the last game, a loss at Louisville where the Blue Devils missed open three pointers in the final minute that would have either given Duke the lead or tied the game.
Duke has two scorers but has struggled to get them both on their game at the same time. Jalen Johnson returned from a foot injury that cost him a month and had a big game at Pitt. He struggled against Louisville while Matthew Hurt had a productive night. Krzyzewski would like to have two dependable scoring options and hopes to see both players raise each other’s game.
Coach K wants Duke to cut down on its turnovers, and a priority for Duke this week has been to cut down on fouling on the defensive end. The Blue Devils are on pace to shoot fewer free throws than their opponents for the first time in 25 years. In the last four games, opponents have shot twice as many free throws as the Blue Devils and had a nine-point advantage per game from the line.
Duke put in extra early-morning practice this week on driving to the hoop and taking contact, in the hope that it will help the Blue Devils break out of their free throw drought.
Your starters: Jalen Johnson, DJ Steward, Jeremy Roach, Wendell Moore and Matthew Hurt
Duke out to a fast start, hitting 5 of its first 7 and outrebounding Tech 7-1 for an early 10-4 lead at the under 16
Tech hits 4 of 5 to tie it at 14 at the under 12
Duke has gone cold, hitting 1 of its last 8. Tech pulls ahead 20-16 at the under 8. Blue Devils are 8-of-22 and have missed all four three-point attempts
Duke scores five straight out of the time out to move back in front.
Blue Devils are out shooting Tech and doubling the Jackets up on rebounds, 22-11, but eight turnovers are keeping Tech on top, 25-23
Duke hits Tech with a 10-0 run to close the half and leads at the break, 33-25.
Blue Devils get 7 from Goldwire, 6 from Mark Williams.
Long three from Steward puts Duke up 11 and Tech calls time. That should be the under 16. Duke 45 Tech 34.
Tech scores four after the time out and we have another under 16 time out. Not sure why the first one didn't count.
Tech extends the run to 9-1 and cuts the lead to three .Duke calls time.
Tech gets a shooter's bounce on a three, then gets a steal and fast break layup to tie the score. Time out Duke, 52 all, 9:27 left.
Alvarado steal and score ties it again, 56-56. 5:41 left. He has 23 points.
Jalen Johnson scores at the other end and hits the and-one. Duke back up two.
Alvarado for three. Duke has no answer for him.
Johnson scores and hits the and one again. He has 17. Duke back up 66-64. 2:57 left
Hurt hits from the line to put Duke up two possessions. 19.6 seconds left
That'll do it. Duke gets a much needed win, 75-68
