Duke blows out Clemson as Tigers drop third straight

Clemson started this month entering a critical stretch of its season and hoping to get back in the NCAA Tournament picture. Ten days in, the Tigers postseason hopes are all but done.

Clemson suffered a third straight loss and dropped to 2-7 in its last nine games with an 82-64 defeat at the hands of No. 7 Duke Thursday night at Littlejohn Coliseum.

The Tigers hung around for a while before Duke went on a 17-6 run midway through the second half to turn a competitive game into a blowout.

The Blue Devils had a much easier time with Clemson than they did about two weeks ago when the two teams played a one-score game. But Clemson was no match for Mike Krzyzewski’s squad on Thursday as Coach K made his final trip to Clemson of his career.

“Congratulate Duke on the win. I thought they played very well. They had great energy and intensity. They executed. Clearly they were better tonight,” Tigers coach Brad Brownell said. “Give them credit. Their kids just played very good basketball. … I thought we wore down. They just physically overpowered us at times.”

The Blue Devils were led by Trevor Keels, who finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. Keels missed the first meeting between the two teams due to an injury. But he made his presence felt Thursday night.

Keels scored 23 of his 25 points in the second half and shot 8-for-9 from the field the final 20 minutes. He was 9-for-13 shooting for the game.

“We just weren’t strong enough defensively to keep the game close,” Brownell said.

PJ Hall led Clemson with 17 points, while Chase Hunter added 13. But it wasn’t nearly enough for an undermatched Clemson squad that continues to play without senior leader Hunter Tyson due to a broken clavicle.

David Collins ejected for foul on Wendell Moore Jr.

While the game was rather uneventful down the stretch, it got intense late in the first half.

Clemson senior David Collins fouled Duke guard Wendell Moore Jr. as he was on a breakaway, sending Moore flying through the air and to an awkward landing.

Krzyzewski was clearly frustrated with the play, as were Duke players. Collins ended up being ejected for a flagrant 2 foul. Brownell made him go over and apologize to Krzyzewski and the Duke bench before leaving the court.

“That was one of the most dangerous plays I have ever seen,” Krzyzewski said. “I’m not knocking Collins. Don’t get me wrong on that. Just seeing a player… I’ve never seen a player like that. Scary.”

Up next Clemson will host Notre Dame on Saturday as the Tigers play their third game in five days.