No. 11 Duke fends off Ga. Tech this time, 84-79

Field Level Media|published: Sun Jan 14 2024 00:32
Jan 13, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Kyle Filipowski (30) controls the ball against Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets foward Tyzhaun Claude (12)during the first half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. credits: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Filipowski churned out 30 points and 13 rebounds and No. 11 Duke overcame visiting Georgia Tech to avenge a loss from last month, winning 84-79 by rallying from a 10-point, second-half deficit Saturday at Durham, N.C.

Jeremy Roach had 18 points and Tyrese Proctor posted 17 for Duke (13-3, 4-1 Atlantic Coast Conference), which received key contributions off the bench, including Ryan Young's 10 points and nine rebounds.

The Blue Devils, who've won eight games in a row since losing 72-68 to Georgia Tech in Atlanta, scored five straight points for an 83-77 edge.

Georgia Tech (8-8, 1-4) was in position to pull off a second upset of Duke, leading 53-43 with 14 1/2 minutes to play after six consecutive points from Baye Ndongo. Naithan George ended up with 17 points, and Ndongo and Miles Kelly both finished with 16 points. Kelly had 11 rebounds.

Filipowski shot 10-for-24 from the field, sinking 4 of 5 3-point attempts, but went just 6-for-11 at the free-throw line. Duke shot only 42.9 percent from the field but had just four turnovers and outscored Georgia Tech 20-8 on free throws.

The Blue Devils were 10-for-21 from long range while the Yellow Jackets were 11-for-20.

Duke used a 16-7 burst to go up 76-69 with 4:36 to play. But the Yellow Jackets notched the next five points, capped by George's 3-pointer.

Filipowski answered with a putback of his own missed shot before George converted a three-point play.

Georgia Tech wiped out Duke's 10-point lead to forge a 39-39 tie at the half. The Blue Devils missed 12 of their last 13 shots from the field in the half. During one stretch, Filipowski scored 10 straight of Duke's points.

The Yellow Jackets then scored eight of the first 10 points in the second half.

Duke played without injured starting forward Mark Mitchell, who averages 12.2 points per game.

—Field Level Media

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