Duke Nails Acc Share

Top 25 basketball

No. 1 Duke clinched at least a share of the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season men’s title Wednesday night, building a 19-point half time lead and cruising to a 76-53 victory over Georgia Tech at Atlanta.

The Blue Devils (26-2, 14-1) marked their third trip to the top of the rankings this season by winning for the 17th time in 18 games. They have the second-most victories in school history and can clinch the ACC regular-season championship outright with a victory Saturday over No. 3 North Carolina.

Roshown McLeod led the Blue Devils with 20 points, but as usual, this victory was secured with defense. Georgia Tech (17-11, 6-9) shot only 32.8 percent (21 of 64).

After missing the NCAA Tournament three of the last four years, Georgia Tech has lost two consecutive games to hurt its chances.

(7) Kentucky 83, Auburn 58

At Auburn, Ala., senior guard Jeff Sheppard scored a career-high 25 points to help the Wildcats (25-4, 13-2) clinch the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division title with a victory over the Tigers (15-11, 7-8).

Scott Padgett added 19 points for Kentucky, which improved to 10-0 on the road and can complete its road sweep of SEC opponents with a win Saturday at No. 14 South Carolina.

(11) Purdue 87, Minnesota 83

At West Lafayette, Ind., Brad Miller had 28 points and nine rebounds as the Boilermakers (23-6, 11-4 Big Ten) overcame yet another slow start to beat the Golden Gophers (12-14, 5-10).

Purdue broke a two-game losing streak and moved into sole possession of third place in the Big Ten, guaranteeing it a first-round bye in the conference tournament.

(13) Ole Miss 81, (12) Arkansas 65

At Oxford, Miss., Ansu Sesay had 23 points and 11 rebounds as the Rebels (20-5, 11-4) beat the Razorbacks (22-6, 11-4), earning a share of the Southeastern Conference Western Division lead with one regular-season game left.

Ole Miss has won six straight games since losing 100-87 at Arkansas on Feb. 5.

St. Bonaventure 72, (20) UMass 70 (2 OT)

Tim Winn’s 3-pointer with 6.1 seconds remaining in the second overtime gave the Bonnies (16-12, 6-9 Atlantic 10) a victory over the Minutemen (20-8, 12-3) at Olean, N. Y.

Caswell Cyrus had 25 points and 13 rebounds as St. Bonaventure defeated a Top 25 team for the third time this season, all at home.

Boston C. 72, (19) W. Virginia 69

Duane Woodward scored 20 points, including a key jumper with 22 seconds left, and the Eagles (14-15, 6-12 Big East) survived three 3-point misses by the Mountaineers (22-6, 11-6) in the final 14 seconds at Boston.

(21) Michigan 77, Penn St. 61

At State College, Pa., Louis Bullock scored 25 points and Robert Traylor had 16 points and 17 rebounds as the Wolverines (20-8, 10-5 Big Ten) defeated the Nittany Lions (14-11, 7-8).