Duke wins close battle as Virginia gets first loss

No. 1 Duke and fourthranked Virginia kept trading baskets — and the lead — down the stretch of another classic at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Here’s the difference: The Blue Devils had RJ Barrett, Zion Williamson and a defense that —even without key on-the-ball defender Tre Jones— flipped the script on the Cavaliers.

Barrett scored 30 points, Williamson had 27 and Duke gave Virginia its first loss of the season by beating the Cavaliers 72-70 on Saturday night.

“We did a lot of switching tonight, and we were able to move their defense enough — just enough, not every time — to get some driving lanes,” coach Mike Krzyzewski said.

The Blue Devils (15-2, 4-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) bounced back from an overtime loss to Syracuse that could cost them their top ranking. They avoided their first two-game losing streak at home since 2016 and proved they can win without Jones.

DeAndre Hunter scored 18 points, and Ty Jerome and Kyle Guy had 14 apiece for the Cavaliers (16-1, 4-1), who entered as the nation’s last unbeaten after No. 2 Michigan was upset at Wisconsin earlier in the day.

at No. 3 Tennessee 71, Alabama 68: Grant Williams scored 21 points, and the Volunteers rallied past the Crimson Tide for their 12th straight win and a chance to climb atop the AP top 25.

After No. 1 Duke lost to Syracuse on Monday and No. 2 Michigan fell at Wisconsin on Saturday, the Volunteers (16-1, 5-0 Southeastern Conference) could lead the poll Monday for the first time since 2008.

After winning its first four SEC games by an average of 25 points, Tennessee had a much tougher time with the Crimson Tide. John Petty matched a career high with 30 points, and Alabama (11-6, 2-3) erased a 15-point deficit to lead late in the second half.

But Petty also had a crucial turnover in the closing seconds.

at West Virginia 65, No. 7 Kansas 64: Jermaine Haley hurried up the court and hit a layup with 8.5 seconds left, completing a late rally that lifted the Mountaineers over the Jayhawks.

West Virginia (9-9, 1-5 Big 12) scored the final seven points to break a five-game losing streak.

Dedric Lawson and Marcus Garrett made layups 29 seconds apart to give the Jayhawks (15-3, 4-2) their largest lead at 64-58 with 2:34 left. But Kansas didn’t score again.

at Baylor 73, No. 8 Texas Tech 62: Baylor freshman Jared Butler scored 14 of his 19 points after halftime and the Bears beat Texas Tech, handing the Red Raiders their second loss in four days.

The Red Raiders (15-3, 4-2 Big 12), coming off a home loss to Iowa State on Wednesday night, are still tied for the Big 12 lead after No. 7 Kansas lost earlier Saturday at West Virginia.

Makai Mason added 16 points for Baylor (11-6, 3-2), which beat a top 10 team for the seventh time in the last three seasons.

No. 12 Kentucky 82, at No. 14 Auburn 80: Tyler Herro made two free throws with 24 seconds left and Immanuel Quickley added another to help the Wildcats survive a big rally from the Tigers.

Kentucky (14-3, 4-1 SEC) rebounded after losing a 17point second-half lead to finish off a showdown between two of the league’s top teams.

Auburn (13-4, 2-2) took an 80-79 lead on Jared Harper’s contested three-pointer over Ashton Hagans with 32 seconds left. Herro grabbed the lead back from the line, then Harper held onto the ball for what he hoped would be a game-winner.

at Texas 75, No. 20 Oklahoma 72: Kerwin Roach II scored 23 points to lead four Longhorns players in double-figure scoring, and Texas ended a three-game skid with a win over the Sooners.

Oklahoma had chances to take the lead or tie in the final seconds but missed three three-point attempts.

Matt Coleman III, Dylan Osetkowski and Jaxson Hayes each scored 15 points for Texas (11-7, 3-3 Big 12). Texas was 20 for 25 shooting free throws, with Coleman and Hayes making four over the final 1:04 to give Texas the lead and protect it late.

Christian James scored 20 points for the Sooners (13-5, 2-4), who have lost four of six.