Wisconsin Badgers
Duke
Badgers fall to hot-shooting Duke in Madison
December 03, 2014 | Men's Basketball
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Dec. 3, 2014
MADISON, Wis. -- Tyus Jones scored 22 points, Rasheed Sulaimon added 14 and No. 4 Duke shot 65 percent to beat No. 2 Wisconsin 80-70 on Wednesday night in a highly anticipated matchup of college basketball heavyweights.
With 17 points, Wisconsin senior Frank Kaminsky outscored Duke freshman Jahlil Okafor (13 points) in a test for the two of the nation's top big men.
But it was another touted freshman, Jones, who helped open things up for the Blue Devils (8-0) in the second half. The lightning-quick guard beat defenders into the lane and added two 3-pointers.
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Jones followed a transition layup with an assist on Amile Jefferson's jumper to cap a 6-0 run that gave Duke a 69-60 lead with about 3 minutes left against the Badgers (7-1).
Off an inbounds play, freshman Justise Winslow's dunk after strolling uncontested down the lane seemed to demoralize the Badgers one last time as Duke took an eight-point lead with about 1:20 left.
It was a thunderous end to a December game that had the tense feel of March. The showcase of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge could also prove to be a Final Four preview.
Duke led much of the way, but never comfortably at the raucous Kohl Center.
Wisconsin's Traevon Jackson was a big reason why. The senior guard scored a career-high 25 points and was often the Badgers' best option at breaking down Duke's in-your-face defense.
Jones was better on the other end. He finished 7 of 11 from the field, adding four assists.
Duke improved to 25-13 against top-5 teams under coach Mike Krzyzewski. The Badgers had their 23-game nonconference winning streak snapped, losing in the regular season outside of the Big Ten for the first time since a 60-50 loss at Marquette on Dec. 8, 2012.
