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Duke Holds Off Determined Georgia Tech for Record 18th ACC Title
Filed under: Duke, Georgia Tech, ACC, March Madness, ACC Tournament
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Normalcy returned to the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament Sunday. Duke, ho-hum, won another title.
The top-seeded Blue Devils rode an early double-digit lead and held on to beat determined seventh-seeded Georgia Tech 65-61 at the Greensboro Coliseum for their record-setting 18th tournament championship and ninth in the past 12 years.
The Yellow Jackets, playing their fourth game in four days and showing signs of fatigue, were looking to capture their first title since 2005. They were also looking to become the lowest seed to accomplish the feat — no team seeded lower than sixth has ever won the ACC tournament.
The Yellow Jackets were only the fourth team seeded lower than sixth to reach the finals in 57 years. No team had ever won four games in four days to capture the title either. They overcame a lethargic start, falling behind by 12 points, and magically rallied from a 10-point deficit with 3:37 left to make the Blue Devils earn their ring.
While Duke’s offense never looked sharp during its three tourney victories, it again won with defense — and mixed in a dramatic trey to finally shake Tech.
