Freshmen lead way as No. 17 Duke tops No. 25 Ohio State

Kyle Filipowski led the way with 16 points in another big outing for No. 17 Duke’s freshmen in an 81-72 home victory against No. 25 Ohio State in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Wednesday night in Durham, N.C.

First-year players Tyrese Proctor and Dereck Lively had 12 and 11 points, respectively, while junior Jeremy Roach bounced back from a weekend injury to post 13 points for the Blue Devils (7-2), who are unbeaten in five home games this season.

Duke also received lifts from reserves Ryan Young and Jacob Grandison, both transfers from Big Ten schools. Young scored 10 points, while Grandison provided seven of his nine points in the first half.

Zed Key poured in 21 points and Sean McNeil had 14 points for Ohio State (5-2). The Buckeyes also received 12 points from Justice Sueing and 11 points from Bruce Thornton, but the team was hurt by going 3-for-13 on 3-point attempts and committing 16 turnovers.

Duke, which lost Sunday to Big Ten member Purdue in the championship game of the Phil Knight Legacy tournament, was playing in its final game before its Atlantic Coast Conference opener Saturday against visiting Boston College.

The Blue Devils shot 26-for-30 on free throws and they needed those to avoid a one-possession game in the final minutes.

Duke’s margin grew to 13 points early in the second half before the Buckeyes made a move to close within 59-54 with about 9 1/2 minutes to play.

Ohio State took advantage of free throws — four by Key in a 53-second span — to stay within range. Two more Key foul shots trimmed Duke’s edge to 70-64 with 4:22 to play.

Duke was hindered by foul trouble with Filipowski and Lively on the bench with four fouls each.

McNeil’s 3-pointer was answered by Filipowski’s three-point play with 2:36 remaining, stretching the gap to 75-67.

After a ragged opening stretch, Duke kicked it into gear. The Blue Devils led 39-29 at halftime.

–Field Level Media