Duke Makes Big Return to No. 1 Spot

Duke celebrated its No. 1 national ranking at Durham, N.C., on Monday night with a 98-40 rout of South Carolina State.

Earlier in the day, the Blue Devils (6-0) returned to the top spot in The Associated Press poll for the first time since Jan. 31, 1994.

“When you’re ranked No. 1 on Dec. 1, it’s like being ahead in the mile at the 100-yard mark,” Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “Hey, I’m happy about that.”

Duke used a smothering defense to beat South Carolina State (0-2) for the sixth consecutive time. The Blue Devils forced 15 turnovers, had nine steals and held the Bulldogs to 25.9% shooting in the first half.

Elton Brand had 18 points to lead Duke, which improved its nonconference record at Cameron Indoor Stadium to 109-2 since February 1983.

The Blue Devils used a smothering defense to hold South Carolina State scoreless for the first six minutes and run up a 12-0 lead.

No. 5 South Carolina 72, Belmont 61--At Columbia, S.C., BJ McKie scored 17 points as the Gamecocks improved to 3-0 for the first time in nine years.

Belmont (1-3), a Nashville, Tenn., school known mostly for having pop star Amy Grant and country music star Vince Gill as graduates, led most of the first half and trailed by only sixpoints with less than nine minutes to go. But Belmont was held to a field goal and two free throws the next seven minutes.

OTHER GAMES

Jeremy Veal scored 24 points to lead five players in double figures as Arizona State (4-2) had its fourth-highest point total in a 123-85 victory over Delaware State (2-1) at Tempe, Ariz. All 11 Sun Devil players, including three walk-ons, scored at least two points. Terence Hood had 30 points for Delaware State, which remained winless against Pacific-10 Conference schools this decade.

Rod Thompson scored a career-high 25 points as Tulsa (4-2) was a 85-68 home-court winner over Nebraska (5-1). . . . Richie Frahm made five three-point baskets for all of his 15 points in the first half and four teammates also scored in double figures as Gonzaga (6-1) was a 97-51 winner over host Chicago State (0-7). . . . Eric Harris scored 19 points as Minnesota (2-2) ended a home losing streak at two games with a 67-57 victory over Campbell (3-2).