Duke mounts 20-point comeback to beat NC State - SCACCHoops.com

Duke mounts 20-point comeback to beat NC State

by WebMaster

Posted: 2/17/2012 6:27:13 AM


Game Central

Game Recap

It may not be kosher to say as a Duke fan, but the Blue Devils didn't deserve to win a game the way they played in the first half and a good portion of the second. But with a lot of luck that is what they did.  It is a bit mind boggling to try and figure out why it is Duke can't play a full 40 minutes at home or even against a rival, but alas that is what the Blue Devils did yet they still won. Duke came back from 20 points down midway in the second half to pull off an improbable 78-73 win and remain in a three-way tie for first place in the ACC. The Blue Devils improved to 22-4 (9-2 ACC) on the season.

Like so many other times this season Duke found themselves down early and eventually by a lot as the Wolf Pack took a 16 point lead into halftime. The first half saw NC State hitting on all cylinders on both ends of the floor and the Blue Devils played like they were wondering what was going on.

At the start of the second half it appeared Duke was going to make a run to cut the Wolf Pack's lead and they did but NC State weathered the storm and built on their lead.

Duke just looked out of sync in every way and continued to make the same mistakes that have plagued them all year. Foul trouble began mounting on both teams but perhaps NC State was feeling it worse.

Gradually through some luck, a few shot starting to fall and what can only amount to a colossal collapse on the part of the Wolf Pack, Duke was able to whittle its way back into the game.

And just like in the North Carolina game last week it was Duke freshman Austin Rivers hitting a three point shot to give Duke a one-point lead that the Blue Devils would never relinquish.

It appeared for a while though that NC State might be able to keep Duke at arms length but once the Blue Devils were able to bring the lead under 10 points they took off behind the play of their guards.

Seth Curry led the way with 26 points and Rivers shook off a rough start and finished with 16 points to help spur the comeback. Andre Dawkins also got a few three point shots to fall as well.

But when you look back on this game it will be hard not to see it as a blown game for NC State as  much as it was a great comeback by Duke.

The Blue Devils had no answers for Lorenzo Brown who always seemed to be hitting a shot when Duke was attempting to make a run.

In the end foul trouble and some really poor execution out of the Wolf Pack enabled Duke to get some momentum at a critical time and that allowed for the comeback. The Blue Devils neve led in the game until there were just over two minutes left and once they got the lead they didn't give it up.

This is another big win for Duke and a crushing loss for State who was hoping and in a position to slip into the ACC race and get a big win toward NCAA Tournament eligibility.

It isn't likely that Mike Krzyzewski will allow his team to celebrate too much from this win as he really needs to help this team figure out how to play for a full 40 minutes.

We will look more at that later for now Duke is very fortunate and really lucky to have gotten this win.

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