Field Level Media
Feb 13, 2021
Matthew Hurt racked up 24 points as Duke ended a three-game losing streak by blasting host North Carolina State 69-53 on Saturday in Atlantic Coast Conference play at Raleigh, N.C.
Mark Williams had 13 points and DJ Steward added 12 points and four assists for Duke (8-8, 6-6 ACC). Hurt hit eight of 10 shots from the field, including going 6 of 7 on 3-pointers.
The outcome was a nice gift on coach Mike Krzyzewski's 74th birthday. His team was 9 of 18 on 3-point shots, marking a slightly lower percentage than its 15 of 29 rate on 2-pointers.
Shakeel Moore scored seven of his team-high 13 points in the final 2:14 for NC State, which ended up with 18 turnovers. DJ Funderburk and Jericole Hellems both posted 11 points and Manny Bates provided eight points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots.
The Wolfpack (8-9, 4-8) has won only one of five games since losing team scoring leader Devon Daniels to a season-ending knee injury.
NC State didn't hit a 3-point shot until Hellems connected with 7:34 remaining. The Wolfpack, who were 2 of 10 on 3-point attempts, was further burdened by the absence of guard Braxton Beverly, who exited in the first half with a back ailment.
The Blue Devils led 39-21 at halftime, aided by NC State's 13 turnovers. The Blue Devils then scored the first five points of the second half.
Hurt, the second-leading scorer in the ACC this season, scored 11 points in eight first-half minutes before picking up his second foul.
Duke had a 14-0 run in the first half, expanding an 11-10 edge as NC State went almost five minutes without scoring.
Duke ended up with a 12-5 advantage in scoring at the free-throw line.
The Blue Devils won for only the second time in their last six visits to PNC Arena to face NC State.
This was the only scheduled meeting between the teams this season.
--Field Level Media