LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Carlik Jones scored 19 of his 24 points in the second half and Louisville beat Duke 70-65, sending the Blue Devils to their third straight loss on Saturday.
Both teams plummeted out of the Top 25 rankings this week — Duke for the first time since Feb. 8, 2016 — but the Cardinals, who fell just outside the rankings, could find themselves back in after snapping a two-game losing streak.
The game wasn’t put away until Jones, the grad transfer from Radford, hit two free throws with 5.4 seconds remaining. Those came after the Cardinals got possession following a scramble for a loose ball and two missed Blue Devils 3-point attempts.
Jones scored the Cardinals’ last nine points in the final two minutes including a layup with 1:18 to go for a 66-65 lead. He made a variety of shots in scoring eight points early in the second half to give Louisville a six-point lead, the largest by either team. The lead would change hands eight times after that in the final 13 1/2 minutes.
Jay’Lyn Withers added 13 points, David Johnson 12 and Dre Davis 11 for Louisville (10-3, 5-2 Atlantic Coast Conference). The Cardinals were 18 of 24 at the line to 7 of 9 for Duke (5-5, 3-3).
Duke’s Matthew Hurt scored 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting, including 4 of 5 from the arc but went 12 minutes of the second half without scoring. He fouled out with 1:50 to go trying to guard a driving Jones. DJ Steward added 13 points.
Neither team led by more than five points in the first half with the Cardinals ahead 36-33 at the break.
Duke is host to Georgia Tech on Tuesday. Louisville is host to Boston College next Saturday.
Appalachian State 74, Georgia State 61
BOONE — James Lewis Jr. had a career-high 22 points plus 14 rebounds as Appalachian State defeated Georgia State 74-61 on Saturday.
Lewis Jr. made 8 of 10 foul shots.
Donovan Gregory had 14 points for Appalachian State (12-5, 6-2 Sun Belt Conference), which earned its fifth consecutive home victory. Justin Forrest added 13 points. Michael Almonacy had 13 points.
Georgia State totaled 26 points in the first half, a season low for the team.
Corey Allen had 19 points for the Panthers (8-4, 2-3). Justin Roberts added 18 points. Jalen Thomas had 10 points.
The Mountaineers improve to 2-0 against the Panthers this season. Appalachian State defeated Georgia State 80-71 on Friday.
Charlotte 74, Florida Atlantic 71
BOCA RATON, Fla. — Jahmir Young scored 25 points, including a free throw with three seconds remaining, and Charlotte held off Florida Atlantic for a 74-71 win on Saturday.
Kenan Blackshear stole the ball, scored and converted a three-point play with 1:35 remaining to help the Owls pull within 67-66 but they got no closer.
Young hit 13 of 16 from the free throw line.
Jordan Shepherd had 19 points, making 9 of 10 at the line, for Charlotte (7-7, 3-3 Conference USA). Jhery Matos added 10 points.
Karlis Silins had 17 points for the Owls (8-7, 3-3). Blackshear added 14 points and six rebounds. Michael Forrest also scored 14 points.
Florida Atlantic defeated Charlotte 66-53 in overtime on Friday.
UNC Wilmington 77, Delaware 70
WILMINGTON — Jaylen Sims had 22 points as UNC Wilmington beat Delaware 77-70 on Saturday.
Mike Okauru added 20 points, six rebounds and six assists for the Seahawk (7-5, 1-2 Colonial Athletic Association). Ty Gadsden had 14 points. Jake Boggs added 13 points.
UNC Wilmington closed the game with an 11-2 run.
Dylan Painter tied a career high with 23 points and had 19 rebounds, his fourth-straight double-double, for the Fightin’ Blue Hens (4-7, 2-4). Ryan Allen added 14 points. Andrew Carr had 11 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.
UNC Greensboro 74, Chattanooga 66
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Angelo Allegri had 17 points as UNC Greensboro topped Chattanooga 74-66 on Saturday.
Jarrett Hensley had 12 points for UNC Greensboro (10-5, 5-2 Southern Conference), which earned its fourth straight win. Kaleb Hunter added 10 points and seven rebounds. Isaiah Miller had six rebounds.
Darius Banks had 18 points for the Mocs (12-5, 3-5). David Jean-Baptiste added 13 points. Malachi Smith had 12 points and six rebounds.
Wofford 91, Western Carolina 78
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Storm Murphy had a career-high 28 points as Wofford defeated Western Carolina 91-78 on Saturday.
Tray Hollowell had 18 points for Wofford (9-4, 6-1 Southern Conference), which earned its fourth straight win. Morgan Safford added 15 points. Sam Godwin had three blocks with eight points.
Matt Halvorsen had 19 points for the Catamounts (7-7, 0-5), who have now lost five straight games. Cory Hightower added 15 points. Marcus Thomas had 14 points and Xavier Cork 13.