Duke lost both meetings with FSU last season, and for a moment it looked like they may lose a third straight, but some clutch play from the otherwise quiet Greg Paulus was the difference in the game. With 2:32 play and Duke up three, Paulus stole a pass and converted the layup to give the Blue Devils a five-point lead. In all, he scored six of his nine points in the final two and a half minutes, leading Duke to a 70-57 victory. The game was closer than the final score would indicate.
Jon Scheyer scored 21 points on 9-13 shooting. It was his second highest point total this season, but he scored his last point of the game with 12:44 to play in the second half. Down the stretch, it was Paulus, DeMarcus Nelson and freshman Kyle Singler who scored most of Duke’s points. (Singler looks like he’ll be a great player, by the way.)
The fifth-ranked Blue Devils are still a young team, but they have more depth than in years past. It will be interesting to see how this team comes together over the course of the ACC regular season.
