DURHAM, N.C. — No. 6 Duke trimmed No. 8 Michigan State’s lead down to five points late in the game, but it was not enough to overcome a double-digit deficit in the second half as the Spartans dealt the Blue Devils a 75-69 loss Tuesday night at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Rocket Watts scored a team-high 20 points and Julius Marble had a career-high 12 as Michigan State emerged victorious in a top-10 matchup for the State Farm Champions Classic.
The Spartans (3-0) trailed by 10 early in the game but closed the first half with a 13-4 surge to take a 37-33 lead at halftime.
Michigan State maintained control in the second half, leading by as many as 16, with balance on offense to go with aggressive defense and rebounding.
The Blue Devils (1-1) rallied late and pulled within five in the final minute. They started strong and led 13-3 before struggling to make shots or get stops. Duke shot just 32 percent from the field and allowed five Spartans to score in double figures.
Joey Hauser had 11 points and 10 rebounds for Michigan State. Aaron Henry had 14 points, five rebounds, five assists, three steals and three blocks. Malik Hall added 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Matthew Hurt led all scorers with 21 points and 13 rebounds for Duke, but freshman Jalen Johnson was limited to 11 points on 4-of-11 shooting after scoring 19 in his college debut.
Jaemyn Brakefield scored 11 and Jordan Goldwire had 10 points for the Blue Devils.
BIG PICTURE
Michigan State: Tom Izzo improved his coaching record to 3-12 against the Blue Devils with the Spartans’ first win at Duke, which didn’t have its raucous fans at Cameron Indoor Stadium due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Duke: Settling for jump shots proved to be a problem because they simply were not falling all night for the Blue Devils, who missed 14 of their first 15 3-pointers.
UP NEXT
Michigan State hosts Detroit on Friday night.
Duke hosts Bellarmine on Friday night.
Podcasts/Media
-
Podcast
/ 22 hours agoOutta Pocket with Michael Davis – Fri April 26th 2024
Outta Pocket with Michael Davis Fri Panel: Cody Lachney, Kevin Avery, Desmond Johnson (Producer)...
-
Podcast
/ 2 days agoOutta Pocket with Michael Davis – Thurs April 25th 2024
Hosted by Michael DavisPanel: Mike Mele, Aaron Schneider, Desmond Johnson (Producer) Part of Tobacco...
-
Podcast
/ 2 days agoBleav in Carolina Panthers – The One Before The Draft – Tues April 23rd 2024
Hosted by Tobacco Road Sports Radio’s Desmond Johnson and Panthers all time leading rusher...
-
Podcast
/ 1 week agoOutta Pocket with Michael Davis – Fri April 19th 2024
Hosted by Michael DavisFriday Panel: Austin Summers, Carsen Williams, Desmond Johnson (Producer) Participate live...
WWE
-
Podcast
/ 2 months agoDrop The Mike Podcast – Lodi Interview & Revolution Recap – Weds March 7th 2024
Lodi, former WCW wrestler, joins Drop the Mike this week for a special interview...
-
Podcast
/ 2 months agoDrop the Mike Podcast – Ep 75 – Weds Feb 14th 2024
The slap heard around the world! Join host Michael Davis and John Anthony (from...
-
Podcast
/ 3 months agoDrop The Mike Podcast – Wed Feb 7th 2024
The Rock or Cody Rhodes? Michael Davis is joined by Mike Mele (Mouthing Off...
-
WWE
/ 3 months agoThe Rock vs. Roman Reigns: Dream Match to Reality
On this Friday’s SmackDown, the Royal Rumble winner Cody Rhodes arrived to make his...
NFL/Carolina Panthers
-
NFL
/ 2 days agoWho Should The Panthers Pick at 33: Running Back
As the college football season unfolds, attention is turning towards the upcoming NFL Draft,...
-
NFL
/ 2 days agoXavier Legette: If I’m available at pick 33, the Panthers tell me ‘they’re going to take me’
Published by On3 Xavier Legette spent five seasons at South Carolina while in college....
-
NFL
/ 1 week agoWho Should The Panthers Pick at 33: Inside Linebacker
As the NFL Draft approaches, the Carolina Panthers find themselves in a pivotal position...
-
NFL
/ 2 weeks agoWho Should The Panthers Pick at 33: Wide Receiver
As the Carolina Panthers prepare for the 2024 NFL Draft, one position of interest...