Blue Devils outlast Seminoles
DURHAM, N.C. — Seventhranked Duke had just followed a wild overtime win against its fiercest rival by battling through the final minutes of a close game to beat eighth-ranked Florida State when coach Mike Krzyzewski paused on his way off the court.
The Hall of Famer turned back in the direction of the “Cameron Crazies” and motioned for them to make even more noise, seeking even more of a tribute for his young team after Monday’s 70-65 win.
“This has been an incredible 48 hours for our team,” Krzyzewski said. “I’ve got good guys, man. I’ve got really good kids.”
It was only two days earlier that the Blue Devils (21-3, 11-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) had earned an emotionally draining road win at North Carolina, a game that saw them rally from 13 down late in regulation and get buzzer-beating shots to force overtime and later to win.
They returned home to face a team tied with them for second in the ACC, one game back in the loss column of fifth-ranked Louisville. And despite a turnover-heavy performance, the Blue Devils did enough down the stretch — a key rebound here, a defensive stop there — to beat the Seminoles (20-4, 10-3).
“Not many teams would’ve won tonight after Saturday,” Krzyzewski said. “I’m so damn proud of them, man. I wish you could feel what I feel.”
Tre Jones had 13 points for the Blue Devils, who shot 45% and hit 7 of 17 3-pointers to overcome 21 turnovers against Florida State (20-4, 10-3).
No. 1 BAYLOR 52, TEXAS 45:
In Austin, Texas, MaCio Teague scored 11 points, Devonte Bandoo added 10 and the Bears beat the Longhorns Monday night for their 21st straight victory — one short of the Big 12 record set by Kansas in 1997.
Baylor (22-1, 11-0 Big 12) wrested control with a 13-0 push that put the Bears ahead 42-27 with 9:28 remaining. Five players scored for Baylor during that stretch. Texas helped out with three turnovers and failed to score for a period of 5:06.
Texas (14-10, 4-7) trailed by 16 with less than seven minutes left. Texas shot a season low 30.5% from the field.
No. 24 TEXAS TECH 88, TCU
42: In Lubbock, Texas, Davide Moretti and Jahmi’us Ramsey each had 17 points and Texas Tech made a season-high 13 3-pointers while leading throughout.
Moretti made a 3 on the first shot of the game, after TCU’s first turnover, to put the Red Raiders (16-8, 7-4 Big 12) ahead to stay. Kyler Edward also had four 3s while scoring 14 points.
Kevin McCullar and former Manzano standout TJ Holyfield each had 10 points for the Red Raiders, who moved back into the Top 25 earlier Monday following a two-week absence.
No. 1 SOUTH CAROLINA 70, No. 5 CONNECTICUT 52:
In Columbia, S.C., Ty Harris scored 19 points, Aliayah Boston dominated underneath and South Carolina held UConn to a record-low two points in the opening quarter on the way to win Monday night — its firstever win over the Huskies.
The Gamecocks (23-1) came in 0-8 all-time against UConn.
But South Carolina took control immediately with its suffocating defense, limiting the Huskies to 1-of-16 shooting to lead 11-2 at the end of the first period.
Since women’s basketball changed to quarters in 2015-16, UConn’s fewest points in a first quarter was 8 against Tulane in February 2016. The Huskies (203) fewest in any quarter was 6 in a loss to Baylor earlier this year.
Boston, the 6-foot-5 freshman, finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds, her 10th double-double this season.
No. 19 NORTHWESTERN 85,
MICHIGAN STATE 55: In Evanston, Ill., Lindsey Pulliam scored 31 points and Northwestern beat Michigan State. The Wildcats (20-3, 10-2 Big Ten Conference) were missing coach Joe McKeown, who was sidelined with an illness according to the team.