Duke absorbs ‘disgusting’ loss
That’s two losses in three games for No. 4 Duke — and this one to a team that hadn’t won since Christmas.
No wonder coach Mike Krzyzewski called it a “disgusting” performance.
Shamorie Ponds scored 33 points and St. John’s overcame an early 10-point deficit to stun the Blue Devils 81-77 at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, snapping an 11-game losing streak and handing a suddenly suspect Duke squad its second loss in eight days.
“We got what we deserved,” Krzyzewski said. “We weren’t able to knock them out after we lost the first 12 rounds of a 15-round fight.”
It was the first win for the Red Storm (11-13) since Dec. 20 against Saint Joseph’s and was their biggest victory under third-year coach Chris Mullin.
“We would have taken a win if it was in an empty gym,” Mullin said. “Thank God January is over.”
Gary Trent Jr.’s 22 points led the Blue Devils (19-4).
Kansas falls at home:
Kendall Smith scored 24 points, including the clinching free throws in the final seconds, and Oklahoma State held off No. 7 Kansas 84-79 in Lawrence, Kan.
Cameron McGriff added 20 points for the Cowboys (14-9, 4-6 Big 12), who built an 18-point first-half lead. It was the third loss for the Jayhawks (18-5, 7-3) in Allen Fieldhouse, their most since the 1998-99 season.
In other action:
De’Andre Hunter scored 15 points as No. 2 Virginia (22-1, 11-0 ACC) smothered host Syracuse 59-44, holding the Orange to 30 percent shooting. ... Vincent Edward had 18 points, seven rebounds and eight assists as No. 3 Purdue (23-2, 12-0 Big Ten) held off host Rutgers 78-76 for a school-record 19th straight win . ... Trae Young shot just 7-for-22 and finished with 19 points as No. 12 Oklahoma (16-6, 6-4 Big 12) fell at Texas 79-74.
Eustachy on leave:
Colorado State placed coach Larry Eustachy on administrative leave while the program is assessed, a decision that again raises questions about his conduct. Assistant Steve Barnes coached Saturday’s 76-67 loss to Nevada and will do so “until the assessment is complete.”