Noles Continues OT Win Streak in Upset Over Duke
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Duke Blue Devils overcame a nine-point deficit with under seven minutes left in the second half to force overtime, but a Wendell Moore Jr., attempt in the final seconds was blocked as Florida State won its NCAA record 13th consecutive overtime decision with a 79-78 win over Duke at the Donald L. Tucker Center.
After a Caleb Mills jumper put the Seminoles ahead 59-50 at the 6:52 mark, Duke went on a 17-6 run capped off by a dunk from sophomore Mark Williams with 30 seconds left to reclaim a two-point advantage. Following a Florida State timeout, RayQuan Evans drove the lane and got the ball to drop high off the window and in as the final seconds ticked off, sending the game to an extra period.
The overtime period featured seven lead changes, and Duke (14-3, 4-2 ACC) held a 78-77 lead with 36 seconds left thanks to a pair of free throws by freshman Paolo Banchero, who finished with a game-high 20 points. Evans was able to draw a foul on the next FSU possession and sank two free throws of his own to put the Seminoles back on top with 12 seconds remaining. Moore received the inbounds pass and pushed the ball down the court, finding an opening in the lane. He attempted a potential game-winning floater, but it was rejected by John Butler and the ball rolled towards midcourt as the buzzer sounded.
The loss marks the second in four games for the Blue Devils, who will return to Cameron Indoor Stadium on Saturday for a noon matchup with Syracuse. Williams recorded 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting with seven rebounds, while Moore added 13 points and four boards. Banchero brought down 12 rebounds to go with his 20-point effort, giving him his third double-double of the season.
Mills netted a team-high 18 points for the Seminoles (11-5, 5-2 ACC). Butler added 14 on 5-of-8 shooting, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Florida State outrebounded Duke by a 42-37 margin, highlighted by 19 offensive boards that yielded 12 second-chance points.
Duke takes on Syracuse at home on Saturday at 12 p.m. on ESPN.