West Lafayette, IN (Sportsbooks) - Kyle Singler had 20 points and tied a career-high with 12 rebounds, as fourth-ranked Duke topped No. 9 Purdue, 76-60, to remain unbeaten in the history of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
Jon Scheyer also scored 20 and Nolan Smith contributed 12 points for Duke (8-0), which has won all 10 of its games in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
It's been a tremendous history of success for Duke against the Big Ten. The Blue Devils are 62-23 all-time against teams currently in the Big Ten, having won seven straight such contests.
The Blue Devils will play on the road against another Big Ten team Saturday, taking on Michigan for the second time this season. Duke beat the Wolverines on November 21 in the championship game of the 2K Sports Classic Benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer.
Robbie Hummel had 15 points for Purdue (5-2), which was coming off an overtime loss in the championship game of the NIT Season Tip-Off at the hands of Oklahoma. JaJuan Johnson contributed 12 points and E'Twaun Moore netted 10 before fouling out.
The Boilermakers, who were riddled with foul trouble, shot 37.3 percent from the field. That included a 2-of-13 effort from three-point range.
Singler hustled all over the court and Duke used its size to an advantage, holding a 49-29 rebounding margin. That included a 16-8 difference on the offensive glass.
It was evident at the start the Purdue was in trouble, as the Blue Devils rattled off the first seven points, capped by a Lance Thomas layup. The Boilermakers never had the lead, falling behind 22-12 following a Singler tip- in and a Smith layup. It was 36-28 at the half.
Singler's jumper moved the difference to 47-34 with 15 minutes remaining and his two free throws had the score at 60-42 with eight minutes left.
Purdue made a run and got within 65-55 on Moore's bucket at the three-minute mark, but Singler drove through a porous defense and jammed on the ensuing possession. That started a string of six straight Duke points, effectively sealing the win.
Game Notes
The Blue Devils are 160-111 under head coach Mike Krzyzewski against ranked teams... Boston College is the only other team undefeated in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge...Purdue hosts Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday...The Blue Devils are 45-2 in the month of December since 1999-2000...Purdue is 4-2 all-time against Duke. Purdue posted a 78-68 win over Duke in the finals of the 2003 Great Alaska Shootout in the last meeting between the two schools...The loss drops Purdue to 2-6 all-time in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge...Hummel went 2-of-3 at the free throw line. He ended a streak of a career-high 27 straight free- throws, dating to last season...The ACC/Big Ten Challenge is tied 3-3 going into Wednesday.
