No. 20 Duke wins a thriller over No. 5 North Carolina, 74-73

Grayson Allen scored 23 points and freshman Derryck Thornton came up with the clinching block on the final play to help No. 20 Duke edge No. 5 North Carolina, 74-73, on Wednesday night in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Allen hit a pair of free throws with 1:09 left for the lead on a night when the Blue Devils (20-6, 9-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) trailed most of the way. Then Duke came up with a pair of stops in the final minute, first on a shot attempt inside in traffic by Kennedy Meeks.

Then, on North Carolina’s final possession, Thornton blocked Joel Berry II’s shot in the lane. Allen rebounded the ball and flung it into the air to let the final seconds expire.

Brice Johnson had 29 points and 19 rebounds in a dominating performance for the Tar Heels (21-5, 10-3), who came in with a decided edge in size and depth. But Johnson got little help outside of Justin Jackson’s 13 points, with the Tar Heels sputtering down the stretch after leading by eight points with about seven minutes left.

No. 1 Villanova 83, at Temple 67: Jalen Brunson scored a season-high 25 points to lead the Wildcats (23-3) past the Owls (16-9). Brunson is the son of former Temple star Rick Brunson. The freshman guard drew jeers from the crowd after spurning his father’s alma mater for Villanova.

at Texas Tech 65, No. 3 Oklahoma 63: Aaron Ross scored 17 points and the Red Raiders (16-9, 6-7 Big 12) won their third game in a row, all against ranked teams. Jordan Woodard scored 26 points and Buddy Hield added 16 for the Sooners (20-5, 8-5).

at Penn State 79, No. 4 Iowa 75: Donovon Jack scored 19 points on eight-for-nine shooting and the Nittany Lions (13-13, 4-9 Big Ten) upset the Hawkeyes (20-6, 11-3). Peter Jok scored 28 points for Iowa (20-6, 11-3) and Jarrod Uthoff had 19. Penn State made 12 of 14 free-throw attempts over the final 1:25.

at No. 8 Xavier 85, No. 23 Providence 74: Trevon Bluiett scored 17 of his 23 points in the first half and Myles Davis had 11 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists for the Musketeers (23-3, 11-3 Big East). The Friars (19-8, 7-7) trailed by 21 points in the second half and never got closer than six points.

at St. Joseph’s 79, No. 15 Dayton 70: DeAndre’ Bembry had 16 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Hawks (22-4, 11-2 Atlantic 10) to their fourth win a row and 11th in 12 games. Charles Cooke scored 16 points for the Flyers (21-4, 11-2), who had won nine in a row.

at No. 18 Louisville 72, Syracuse 58: Damion Lee scored 15 points, Trey Lewis added 14 and the Cardinals (20-6, 9-4 ACC) handed the Orange (18-9, 8-6) its worst loss of the season.