WRAL Sports Fan

WRALSportsFan

Short-Handed Duke Beats Temple 74-64

Jan 9, 2008

PHILADELPHIA – Ninth-ranked Duke defeated Temple for the eighth straight time with a 74-64 victory on Wednesday night before a crowd of 18,030 at the Wachovia Center.

Taylor King scored 15 points, DeMarcus Nelson and Greg Paulus added 13 points each and the Blue Devils (12-1) dispatched the Owls (6-7) with a balanced scoring attack and a suffocating defense. Jon Scheyer contributed 10 points, as eight different Duke players scored.

Temple received 23 points from Dionte Christmas and 20 from Mark Tyndale but was stung by 20 costly turnovers and poor shooting – 35 percent.

Duke led by 16 points at halftime and watched the Owls get within eight points. The Blue Devils went more than eight minutes without a field goal in the second half, allowing Temple to cut the lead to 53-45 with 8:01 remaining. But Duke quickly responded with eight consecutive points for a 61-45 advantage.

After a slow start, Duke broke free from the stubborn Owls late in the first half.

Leading 18-16 with 8:11 remaining, the Blue Devils proceeded to rip off a 14-1 run, increasing their advantage to 32-17. Nelson had seven points during the spurt and Duke went on to take a 39-23 lead at the break.

Duke shot only 43 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes but limited Temple to 26 percent shooting (7-of-27) and 12 turnovers.

The Blue Devils begin Atlantic Coast Conference play Sunday night against Virginia.