COL BKB: Duke 82, Georgia Tech 70

CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 14 (UPI) -- DeMarcus Nelson scored 17 points Friday and Duke fought off a Georgia Tech rally for an 82-70 win in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals.

The Blue Devils (27-4) remained on a path to meet top-ranked North Carolina in the championship game on Sunday. Duke has lost twice to the Tar Heels this season, including a setback last weekend that cost the Blue Devils the regular-season league crown.

Jon Scheyer added 18 points for Duke, Greg Paulus had 13 and Gerald Henderson 12.

Georgia Tech (15-17) got a 16-point effort from Maurice Miller.

Duke owned as much as a 19-point lead early in the second half, but Georgia Tech went on a 19-2 run that cut its deficit to 52-50 with 13:38 to play.

Nelson then hit a free throw and a three-pointer, after which Kyle Singler made a jumper to restore a 58-50 lead with 12:11 remaining. The Blue Devils soon went on a 12-4 run to put the game away.