On an experience-laden Duke roster, it was freshman Kyrie Irving leading the way. The first-year guard of of New Jersey torched Michigan State, scoring 31 points in an 84-79 Duke win at Cameron Indoor. The top-10 match-up capped the 2010 ACC/Big Ten Challenge, won by the ACC for the second consecutive year.
Duke Vs. Michigan State: Kyrie Irving’s Big Game Leads Duke To The Win, 84-79
Irving started hot and never cooled down for the Blue Devils, carrying the team with his impressive scoring performance. But it wasn’t just the scoring that propelled Duke to the win. In addition to his 31 points, Irving added six rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks.
Irving was joined in double figures by Nolan Smith (17 points), Kyle Singler (15) and Mason Plumlee (10). Plumlee also pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds. His brother, Duke junior Miles Plumlee, was stymied by foul trouble, scoring only four points in limited action. Irving’s prolific night and the balanced attack provided by the rest of the starters was all the Blue Devils needed to put away the No. 6 Spartans.
Try as he might, Korie Lucious couldn’t keep pace with Irving and the Blue Devils. Lucious scored a team-high 20 points, 13 of which came in the first half. Kalin Lucas added 14 for the Spartans after getting off to a slow start, scoring only two in the first half. Draymond Green, 16 points, and Durrell Summers, 11 points, joined the two in double figures.
The loss was dropped Michigan State to 5-2 on the season. Duke improved to a perfect 7-0 with the win. Duke faces Butler in a rematch of last year’s NCAA championship game on Dec. 4 while Michigan State takes on Bowling Green at home on the same day.
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