NEW YORK — Just when it looked like the 1,000 wins party for Mike Krzyzewski was off, Duke woke up from its sleepwalk.
Trailing 61-51 with about 8:30 remaining in the game, the Blue Devils found a level of toughness that had been missing all game. Players started driving to the basket and finishing through contact. Defensively, Duke clamped down as St John’s shots started clanging off the rim.
And by the time the clock hit zero inside Madison Square Garden, the Blue Devils had ground out a 77-68 victory over St. John’s, giving their legendary coach his 1,000th win in his 40th year of coaching.
It started with Quinn Cook, the senior captain, driving to the basket and drawing a foul. The ensuing free throw cut the deficit to 61-54. Then it was Tyus Jones, the freshman wizard, with his own and-one drive. Then it was Jahlil Okafor, the likely No. 1 pick in this year’s NBA Draft, grabbing an offensive rebound and finishing through contact. He clenched his fists and screamed as the crowd in the world’s most famous arena exploded with noise.
After St. John’s took that 10-point lead, Duke scored 18 of the game’s next 20 points.
It was an unconventional line-up that brought Duke back. With Amile Jefferson sitting with three fouls, Rasheed Suliamon with 4 and Justise Winslow hurt and ineffective, Marshall Plumlee manned the power forward spot, and Matt Jones was at small forward with Okafor, Cook and Tyus Jones rounding out the quintet.
Tyus Jones, who has played his best in this year’s biggest games, led Duke with 22 points. Okafor finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Cook added 17 as well, making several timely 3s.
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