The Associated Press
MADISON, Wis. — Tyus Jones scored 22 points, Rasheed Sulaimon added 14 and No. 4 Duke shot 65 percent to beat No. 2 Wisconsin 80-70 on Wednesday night in a highly anticipated matchup of college basketball heavyweights.
With 17 points, Wisconsin senior Frank Kaminsky outscored Duke freshman Jahlil Okafor (13 points) in a test for the two of the nation’s top big men.
But it was another touted freshman, Jones, who helped open things up for the Blue Devils (8-0) in the second half. The lightning-quick guard beat defenders into the lane and added two 3-pointers.
Jones followed a transition layup with an assist on Amile Jefferson’s jumper to cap a 6-0 run that gave Duke a 69-60 lead with about 3 minutes left against the Badgers (7-1).
Off an inbounds play, freshman Justise Winslow’s dunk after strolling uncontested down the lane seemed to demoralize the Badgers one last time as Duke took an eight-point lead with about 1:20 left.
It was a thunderous end to a December game that had the tense feel of March. The showcase of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge could also prove to be a Final Four preview.
Duke led much of the way, but never comfortably at the raucous Kohl Center.
Wisconsin’s Traevon Jackson was a big reason why. The senior guard scored a career-high 25 points and was often the Badgers’ best option at breaking down Duke’s in-your-face defense.
Jones was better on the other end. He finished 7 of 11 from the field, adding four assists.
Duke improved to 25-13 against top-5 teams under coach Mike Krzyzewski. The Badgers had their 23-game nonconference winning streak snapped, losing in the regular season outside of the Big Ten for the first time since a 60-50 loss at Marquette on Dec. 8, 2012.
IOWa upsets No. 12 NORTH CAROLINA
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Mike Gesell hit a driving layup through contact for the go-ahead three-point play with 1:16 left, helping Iowa upset North Carolina in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
Gesell finished with 16 points for the Hawkeyes (6-2), who outfought the Tar Heels (5-2) on a night when both teams struggled to shoot straight.
Gesell’s basket was the team’s first after a 4-minute drought, but it ended up providing the winning margin on a night when the Hawkeyes won despite shooting 33 percent and going 3 for 20 from 3-point range.
After UNC’s Marcus Paige missed a 3-pointer for the tie, Gesell hit two free throws with 1 second left to seal it.
Kennedy Meeks had 15 points and 12 rebounds for UNC.
No. 25 Utah tops No. 8 Wichita StatE
SALT LAKE CITY — Delon Wright hit a go-ahead jumper in the lane with 14 seconds left in overtime to boost No. 25 Utah over No. 8 Wichita State 69-68 on Wednesday night, snapping the Shockers’ regular-season winning streak at 35 games.
Wright, Utah’s do-everything guard, scored five of his 13 points in the extra period as Utah (6-1) withstood a late Shockers comeback and three missed free throws in the final 3.2 seconds.
Brandon Taylor had 17 points and Dakarai Tucker scored 13 for the Utes, who hadn’t hosted such a highly ranked team since toppling No. 1 Alabama 51-49 on Dec. 30, 1999.
Ron Baker scored 15 points, Tekele Cotton had 14 and Fred VanVleet added 13, but the Shockers (4-1) couldn’t overcome 38 percent shooting.
By wire sources