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NC State Upsets Duke 96-85 Despite Marvin Bagley III's 31 Points

Alec Nathan

The No. 2 Duke Blue Devils opened ACC play with a loss to the Boston College Eagles on Dec. 9, and they suffered another crippling conference defeat as the unranked NC State Wolfpack emerged with a 96-85 win at PNC Arena on Saturday night.

The win over the Blue Devils marked the second in as many seasons for the Wolfpack, making it the first time since 1995 the program has captured back-to-back wins against head coach Mike Krzyzewski and Co.

All five of NC State's starters finished in double figures, with Torin Dorn and Omer Yurtseven contributing 16 points apiece.

Braxton Beverly added 14 points, and his huge three-pointer with 2:47 remaining put the Wolfpack up six after Duke had cut the deficit to three.

As a team, NC State shot 50.7 percent from the field and assisted on 50 percent of its made baskets against a Duke defense that surrendered at least 90 points for the second straight game.

According to Yahoo Sports' Brad Evans, Duke looked disinterested on that end of the floor:

The Athletic's Seth Davis, meanwhile, noted the loss will be a big blemish on the Blue Devils' resume in the months to come:

With defensive stops few and far between, Duke had to try to run and gun with the Wolfpack.

Marvin Bagley III finished with 31 points (11-of-14 shooting), 10 rebounds and four blocks in his fourth 30-point game of the season and second in a row.

Trevon Duval chipped in 18 points, but the Blue Devils' inefficiency from distance (3-of-15 overall) capped their ability to cut into the Wolfpack's late edge as they scrambled to avoid a second loss in a month's time.

Now 1-2 in conference play, Duke will try to get back on track Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Panthers.

On the other hand, the Wolfpack will try to keep things going Thursday at home versus the Clemson Tigers.

   

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