Big Ten wins ACC/Big Ten Challenge for second straight year
DURHAM, NC -- Freshman Kyrie Irving scored a season-high 31 points and No. 1 Duke beat No. 6 Michigan State 84-79 on Wednesday night in the marquee matchup of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
Nolan Smith added 17 points and Kyle Singler scored 15 for the Blue Devils (7-0).
They shot 47 percent, turned 20 Michigan State turnovers into 28 points, used a 12-2 spurt midway through the second half to take a double-figure lead and held off the Spartans down the stretch by hitting 9 of 12 free throws in the final 1:15.
Korie Lucious scored 20 points and Draymond Green added 10 of his 16 in the final minute for Michigan State (5-2).
The Spartans shot 49 percent, were held to one field goal during a critical 7-minute stretch that coincided with Duke's run but otherwise hung tight with the reigning national champions who won their 17th straight game.
