HALFTIME: Duke 35, Clemson 33

GREENVILLE, S.C.—Clemson scored the game's first five points, but then the Blue Devils caught fire to build a big lead before stumbling in the half's final few minutes.

Twenty minutes in, No. 9 Duke leads Clemson 35-33 at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Although the Blue Devils did not initially come out hot shooting the ball like they did against Virginia Tech Jan. 9, head coach Mike Krzyzewski’s squad soon took control of the game before a late Clemson spurt.

After looking out of sync in the first two minutes, the Blue Devil offense suddenly found a rhythm at the 17-minute mark. Consecutive 3-pointers by freshmen Derryck Thornton and Brandon Ingram and a dunk by graduate student Marshall Plumlee helped turned an early 5-2 deficit into a 10-5 lead.

The Blue Devils' strong shooting from the 3-point line continued, as sophomore guard Grayson Allen and freshman Luke Kennard each knocked down treys of their own. Duke made six 3-pointers in a row at one point in the first half—led by Ingram's three—and headed to the locker room 7-of-14 from downtown.

Despite Duke’s initial success, the Tigers went on a 9-0 run later in the half to narrow the Blue Devils’ lead to 28-25. Although the Tigers continued to drain shots throughout the rest of half—head coach Brad Brownell's squad made four of its last five attempts from the floor—Ingram helped maintain Duke’s lead, scoring seven points in the last five minutes.

Here are some observations from the first half:

• After scoring 12 points in the first half against the Hokies, Ingram had another strong first half knocking down six of his eight shots for 15 points. Kennard also provided a spark off the bench, attacking the Clemson’s interior defense and converting two of his four 3-point attempts.
• Duke quickly heated up from beyond the arc, converting an even 50 percent of their 3-point attempts.
• The Blue Devils have so far shut down Clemson’s Jaron Blossomgame, holding the junior forward to four points on 1-of-5 shooting. Donte Grantham has filled in, scoring a team-high eight points and a pair of 3-pointers.
• Fouls have begun to mount for the Blue Devils as Ingram and freshman forward Chase Jeter each enter the locker room with three fouls. Junior Matt Jones has a pair of personals.
• Duke did not attempt a free throw in the first half.
• Wednesday's game is being played in Greenville because the Tigers' on-campus arena, Littlejohn Coliseum, is undergoing a massive renovation.