Duke Wins ACC Crown; Kentucky Captures SEC Title

Greensboro, NC, United States (AHN) – Jon Scheyer scored 16 points, including a key 3-pointer in the final minute, as the Duke Blue Devils held off the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 65-61 to post a record 18th ACC title Sunday at Greensboro Coliseum.

Kyle Singler led the way for the Blue Devils (29-5, 13-3 ACC) with 20 points and six rebounds. He was later named tournament MVP.

It was the second consecutive ACC tournament title for the Blue Devils, who shattered a deadlock with rival North Carolina for the most titles for any ACC school.

Entering Sunday’s tilt, Duke was tied with North Carolina at 17 tournament championships.

Nolan Smith also scored 16 for the Blue Devils, who won despite finishing with a 35.5 shooting clip but managed to convert 24-of-28 from the free throw line for 85.7 percent.

The Yellow Jackets, who shot better overall, making 22 out of 50 attempts (44 percent), were paced by Derrick Favors, who logged 22 points and 11 boards in the loss.

A slam courtesy of ACC Rookie of the Year Favors pulled Georgia Tech within a point with less than 50 seconds, 60-59.

But Scheyer drilled one from beyond the arc, pushing the lead back to four, 63-59, with 18 ticks remaining in the game

Duke was up 29-22 at the break.

Meanwhile, in the SEC title game, Eric Bledsoe poured in a team-high 18 points, helping the Kentucky Wildcats topple the Mississippi State Bulldogs in overtime 75-74 to win their record 26th SEC tournament championship.

DeMarcus Cousins posted a double-double with 10 rebounds and 10 points, including a buzzer-beating basket that sent the game into overtime.

John Wall added 17 points, eight assists and seven rebounds for the Wildcats (32-2, 14-2 SEC), who fortified their place in the NCAA tournament.

Ravern Johnson paced the Bulldogs with a game-high 20 points.

Regulation play ended at 64-64.

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