Florida State clamps down on Duke, 68-67

Al Thornton scored 21 points and Florida State held No. 8-ranked Duke scoreless in the final 2 minutes 31 seconds to secure a 68-67 victory over the Blue Devils on Sunday at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

It was Florida State’s first victory on the Blue Devils’ home court after 15 consecutive losses there. After the victory, which avenged the Seminoles’ one-point overtime loss at Duke last season, Florida State’s players danced and celebrated in front of the Blue Devils’ notoriously noisy student section.

“That was just a little excitement,” Thornton said. “I think we overdid it, but we apologize, though, that we did all that.”

The Seminoles, 17-6 overall and 5-4 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, who had trailed by 17 midway through the first half, led by six with 3:25 left. Duke cut it to 68-67 with 2:31 left but got no closer.

The Blue Devils had two late chances. With 7.7 seconds left, DeMarcus Nelson inbounded the ball to Greg Paulus, who missed a layup. A jump ball was called on the rebound, and Duke (18-5, 5-4) was awarded possession. Josh McRoberts took the inbounds pass in the lane with about two seconds left, and his floater rimmed out. Nelson’s putback then bounced off the rim.

“Josh is usually the main read on that, and I trust Josh with the game on the line,” Paulus said.