Duke extended its home winning streak over Clemson to 20 games Tuesday night.
I’m not sure any of the first 19 were more difficult than this.
A disciplined, focused, physically and mentally tough Clemson team took Duke all the way to the end before falling 71-69.
Duke led virtually the entire game and seemed poised to deliver the knockout blow time and time again in the second half. Duke led 41-36, 43-38, 47-41, 52-46, 55-48 and 60-53 in the second half.
And somehow trailed 65-63, with 3:19 left
“I’ve been here a lot of times when you’re on the ropes,” Clemson coach Brad Brownell said, “when you’re one or two possessions away from getting blown out.