Redick carries Duke to 16th ACC title

J.J. Redick scored 26 points, including consecutive 3-pointers down the stretch to give Duke the lead for good, and the third-ranked Blue Devils beat No. 11 Boston College 78-76 Sunday in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament championship game in Greensboro, N.C.

Duke won the tournament for a record 16th time with seven coming in the past eight years. Since 1998, the Blue Devils are 25-2 in this event. They are 30-15 in the ACC tournament in the Greensboro Coliseum.

The Eagles led 71-68 before Redick, the tournament MVP, took over. The second-leading scorer in Division I made one 3 to tie it before Craig Smith converted two free throws on the other end. Redick then used a pick from Shelden Williams to get free and launched another jumper from a few steps behind the 3-point line that put the Blue Devils back in front.

Williams’ two free throws later increased the margin to four, and Louis Hinnant brought BC within one again with a leaning 3-pointer. Greg Paulus converted one at the line to make it a two-point game.

Big Ten

(20) Iowa 67, (7) Ohio State 60: At Indianapolis, Jeff Horner scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half and added 10 assists to lead Iowa in the Big Ten tournament championship game.

Big 12

(17) Kansas 80, (8) Texas 68: At Dallas, Kansas was terrific outside and played great defense to beat Texas in the final of the Big 12 conference tournament.

The Jayhawks have won 15 of their last 16 games.

SEC

(16) Florida 49, South Carolina 47: At Nashville, Tenn., Joakim Noah scored with 11 seconds left then blocked a shot at the other end, and the Gators won their second straight Southeastern Conference tournament title.

Southland

Northwestern State 95, Sam Houston State 87: At Natchitoches, La., Clifton Lee had 22 points to lead the Demons to a victory in the finals of the Southland Conference tournament.

Women

America East: Hartford 75, Boston U. 56: At West Hartford, Conn., Danielle Wexler scored 18 points on 3-pointers, leading the Hawks to the America East tournament title.

Ivy League: Dartmouth 63, Princeton 48: At New Haven, Conn., Jeannie Cullen scored 17 points to lead the Big Green to a victory over the Tigers in the Ivy League playoff.

MVC: Missouri State 64, Indiana State 55: At Springfield, Mo., Kari Koch scored 17 points, leading the Lady Bears to the Missouri Valley title.