Duke defeats Gonzaga with freshmen trio leading way

HOUSTON — A special group of freshmen is taking Duke and Coach K back to the NCAA Final Four.

The Blue Devils and their trio of freshmen starters are going to the Final Four after a 66-52 win Sunday in the South Regional over Gonzaga.

Justise Winslow, the freshman playing home in Houston, had 16 points, including a big 3-pointer in the closing minutes. Matt Jones had also had 16 points while freshman Tyus Jones had 15 points, and Jahlil Okafor had nine points and eight rebounds.

Duke (33-4), the region’s No. 1 seed, is going to Indianapolis to play Michigan State in the Final Four. The other national semifinal game Saturday matches undefeated Kentucky and Wisconsin.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski is going to the Final Four for the 12th time (it’s the 16th journey for Duke), matching UCLA’s John Wooden for the most by a head coach.

Duke’s last Final Four and national title was in 2010.

“This is a magical moment for us, but we played a magical team in Gonzaga,” Krzyzewski said.

No. 2 seed Gonzaga (35-3) had taken a 38-34 lead less than 4 minutes into the second half, putting the Blue Devils in their largest deficit of this tournament.

The young Blue Devils responded with nine straight points and never trailed again. They had stretched it to 60-51 when Winslow made a 3-pointer from the left wing with 2:28 left.

The Zags, a No. 1 seed only two years ago before losing to Wichita State in their second NCAA game, missed out again. It was the final game for senior Kevin Pangos of Holland Landing, Ont.