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BASKETBALL

Top Ranked Duke Prevails At Indiana In The ACC/ Big Ten Challenge

Top ranked Duke has had a grueling schedule as of late haven played three games in Portland Oregon at the Phil Knight Invitational where they beat Texas in the semifinal in overtime and than coming from behind to beat Florida in the championship game on Sunday.

With the grueling schedule that Mike Krzyzewski's young team has played that includes one senior in Grayson Allen  it looked like that the top ranked wouldn't have enough energy left in the tank Wednesday  but some how some way Duke found a way to win in Bloomington against Indiana.

Marvin Bagley III finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds and Grayson Allen added 21 points to help No. 1 Duke get past pesky Indiana 91-81 on Wednesday night in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211687764

It sure wasn't easy for the Blue Devils (9-0), who needed a late 17-4 spurt to finally pull away for their first true road win of the season. Wendell Carter Jr. had 18 points and 12 rebounds. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211687764

Indiana (4-3) was led by Robert Johnson with 17 points and De'Ron Davis with 16 as its three-game winning streak ended."according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211687764

Duke turned what had been a back-and-forth game with a 10-4 spurt to close the first half, taking a 42-38 lead. When the Blue Devils jumped to a 52-42 lead just 94 seconds into the second half, it looked they would pull away. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211687764

Instead, the Hoosiers charged back with seven straight points, tied the score at 57 on Collin Hartman's long 3-pointer and took the lead when Hartman made two free throws with 12:17 left to make it 61-59. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211687764

Neither team could take more than a two-possession lead until Gary Trent Jr.'s three-point play gave Duke an 86-77 lead with 2:24 left. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211687764

Indiana never seriously challenged again. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211687764

BIG PICTURE

Duke: The Blue Devils might be even better than advertised. They've won nine games in 20 days, beaten two Top 10 teams and now have their first true road win. No, it wasn't pretty, but they get the job done. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211687764

Indiana: The Hoosiers fought valiantly. They played defense, took care of the ball and hung around most of the game. It was an impressive performance, a better effort and the first big indication that new coach Archie Miller is getting things on track in Bloomington. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211687764

Duke finally will return to the confines of Cameron Indoor Stadium Saturday after being on the road for four games as they host South Dakota who is a member of the Summit League.

Tip-off is set for 3:30pm. The game will be televised on ESPN2. "according to http://www.goduke.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=4200&SPID=1845&SPSID=22726