Duke Beats A Rugged Clemson Team On The Road

Duke triumphed over a rugged Clemson team in Littlejohn Sunday 66-57. It was the third game without Marvin Bagley and the third win.

In the waning minutes of the second half, Clemson’s defense stymied Duke and the Tigers ran off eight straight points to cut the lead to tie it up, it looked like the sort of game that a young team could easily fumble away.

At its best and most ferocious, Littlejohn is one of the great home courts in America and when Clemson caught back up, it seemed like the crowd could push them over the top.

Didn’t happen.

After Clemson scored their eight, Duke responded with nine straight. Gary Trent hit three straight foul shots after an unwise foul by Clemson’s Scott Spencer. Then Wendell Carter hit a layup, Grayson Allen hit a pair and Carter closed it out with another pair.

Sounds easier than it was.

Despite not having point guard Shelton Mitchell and senior star Donte Grantham, Clemson really made Duke work for it. Although Allen had 17 in the first half he finished the game with just two more and Carter was shut out from the floor in the opening 20. Gary Trent hit just 3-10 from the floor. Javin DeLaurier had 10 rebounds but just one basket. Overall, Clemson held Duke to 38.8%.

But Duke, which has struggled with defense all year, held Clemson to just 34.4% and nearly shut Gabe DeVoe out, limiting him to one late three.

And Trevon Duval, who has had a bit of a learning curve as a freshman, picked off the Tigers four times and ran the point for the most part as well as he has all year.

Despite the lack of offensive efficiency, this was one of the more intense and competitive ACC games of the year. Both teams were missing key players but stepped up and showed immense heart.

With the win Duke now has sole possession of second place in the ACC.

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• Season Stats (PDF)