Duke Edges Out Clemson in a Thrilling ACC Matchup

In a highly anticipated ACC showdown, the 12th-ranked Duke Blue Devils hosted the Clemson Tigers at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The game promised an exciting clash of styles, with Duke’s fast-paced offense facing off against Clemson’s physical, defensive approach.

A Closely Contested First Half

The atmosphere was electric from the start, as the Cameron Crazies filled the arena with their passionate support. The game quickly settled into a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to gain a significant advantage.

Clemson, led by their star center PJ Hall, managed to stay competitive despite Duke’s high-powered offense. Hall’s presence in the paint made it difficult for Duke to score inside, and he also contributed with some timely blocks and rebounds.

However, Duke’s freshman phenom, Jared McCain, proved to be a thorn in Clemson’s side. McCain’s quickness and athleticism allowed him to create his own shot, and he repeatedly drove to the basket for easy layups.

As the first half drew to a close, Duke held a slim 36-34 lead. The second half promised more of the same intensity and drama.

A Thrilling Second Half

Clemson came out strong in the second half, and they quickly managed to erase Duke’s lead. The Tigers took advantage of some sloppy play by the Blue Devils, and they were able to build a six-point lead midway through the half.

Duke, however, showed their resilience and refused to give up. Led by Tyrese Proctor and Kyle Filipowski, the Blue Devils fought back and eventually tied the game with just over two minutes remaining.

The final minutes of the game were a tense affair, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to gain a clear advantage. In the end, it was Proctor who proved to be the hero for Duke. With just seconds remaining, Proctor calmly stepped to the free-throw line and sank two clutch free throws to give Duke a 72-71 victory.

Key Takeaways

• Jared McCain’s Performance: McCain was a major factor in Duke’s victory, scoring 21 points and providing a spark off the bench. His quickness and athleticism were too much for Clemson to handle, and he was able to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.
• Tyrese Proctor’s Clutch Free Throws: Proctor’s free throws with just seconds remaining proved to be the difference in the game. He showed great poise and composure in a pressure-packed situation, and his shots ultimately sealed the win for Duke.
• PJ Hall’s Impact: Hall was a force to be reckoned with in the paint for Clemson. He finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks. His presence made it difficult for Duke to score inside, and he also contributed with some timely blocks and rebounds.
• Duke’s Resilience: Duke showed great resilience in coming back from a six-point deficit in the second half. The Blue Devils never gave up, and they eventually managed to tie the game and then win it in the final seconds.

Looking Ahead

With this victory, Duke improves to 15-4 overall and 6-2 in the ACC. They will next travel to Blacksburg, Virginia, to take on Virginia Tech on Monday, January 23.

Clemson, meanwhile, falls to 13-6 overall and 3-5 in the ACC. They will next host NC State at Littlejohn Coliseum on Tuesday, January 24.

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