COL BKB: Duke 98, North Carolina State 85

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DURHAM, N.C., Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Mason Plumlee led Duke to a monster first half Thursday and the fourth-ranked Blue Devils went on to down North Carolina State 98-85.

The Wolfpack shocked Duke in Raleigh on Jan. 12 when the Blue Devils were ranked No. 1 in the country, but this game was different from the start.

Duke raced to a 20-5 lead and opened a 58-37 advantage at halftime. Both teams shot 53 percent from the floor, but the Blue Devils made 32 free throws to just 11 for North Carolina State.

Plumlee scored 30 points while hitting 9-of-11 from the field and 12-of-16 from the foul line. Seth Curry added 26 points and Quinn Cook had 21 for the Blue Devils (20-2, 7-2 Atlantic Coast Conference).

Duke is two games behind league-leading Miami, which has yet to lose a conference contest.

North Carolina State (16-7, 5-5) was led by Richard Howell with 23 points. It was the third loss in a row for the Wolfpack.