No. 2 Duke fails, can’t cash in on Auburn loss

CLEMSON, S.C.– Viktor Lakhin scored 22 points, Clemson held player of the year prospect Cooper Flagg in check for the majority of the game and the Tigers beat No. 2 Duke 77-71 on Saturday night to snap heaven Devils’ 16-game winning streak.With an opportunity to take control of the No. 1 area in the Associated Press Top 25 survey next week, Duke saw Chase Hunter rating 14 points and Ian Schieffelin add 12 points and 10 rebounds for Clemson (19-5, 11-2 ACC )en route to the upset.The Tigers ended heaven Devils’opportunities of an unbeaten routine season in the Atlantic Coast Conference, along the way, and denied the Blue Devils(20-3, 12-1) a chance to take over the leading ranking in the nation for the first time in the coach Jon Scheyer era.No. 1 Auburn lost 90-81 to No. 6 Florida previously in the

day, unlocking for Duke to declare the top area with a win. However the efforts of Tyrese Proctor, who had 23 points, and Flagg, who had 18 on 6-of-17 shooting for Duke (20-3, 12-1 ), wasn’t enough.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated Clemson routed by six at halftime, but utilized a 12-0 run in

the second half to take

a 56-49 lead with simply under 10 minutes to go. Hunter sealed the win by obstructing Proctor’s layup with 7.9 seconds left.The Blue Devils depth was affected with Mason Gillis missing his 2nd straight game with an illness. Flagg had just four points in the first 34 minutes of the game.Flagg’s slip proved pricey with 14 seconds, too, leading to a big turnover with heaven Devils trailing by two. He will have the possibility to bounce back, however, as

Duke hosts California in ACC use Wednesday night.The Associated Press added to this report.