DURHAM, N.C., Feb. 19 (UPI) -- Dahntay Jones scored 21 points and freshman J.J. Redick added 17 Wednesday night to lead eighth-ranked Duke to a 75-70 victory over No. 13 Maryland in a pivotal Atlantic Coast Conference game.
"It was very, very tough, because they have senior leadership in Steve Blake and Drew Nicholas, and those guys weren't going to let them lose," Jones said.
The Blue Devils (18-4, 8-4 ACC) were handed their first loss of the season at Maryland (16-7, 8-4) last month after a 12-0 start. They also were beaten at Maryland last February, putting Coach Mike Krzyzewski in danger of losing three straight to the same opponent for the first time since he lost nine in a row to Wake Forest from 1993-97.
Duke led by as many as nine points in the second half, but a basket by Ryan Randle pulled the Terps within 68-66 with 3:17 left.
Freshman Shelden Williams then scored inside and Daniel Ewing hit a three-pointer with 1:31 left to increase the Blue Devils' lead to 73-66.
Williams had 13 points, 11 rebounds and six blocked shots. He was coming off a 20-point, four-block performance at Virginia past Saturday.
"Certainly, Shelden was terrific," Krzyzewski said. "He's giving us that inside presence that we've longed for all year, but also defensively, to get six blocks, that's 10 blocks in the last two games."
Maryland again fought back and pulled within 73-70 after a follow shot by Randle with 45 seconds remaining. It had a chance to tie the game, but Steve Blake missed an off-balance three-pointer in the final seconds.
Williams finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks for Duke. He came off a 20-point performance at Virginia.
Tahj Holden led Maryland with 18 points.
"We came in here and gave it our best shot," said Maryland Coach Gary Williams. "We lost by five. That's a pretty good shot. We certainly had our way at College Park. (Duke) got us here. It's been a great series."
