RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 19 (UPI) -- Nolan Smith led Duke with 22 points Wednesday and the No. 5 Blue Devils fought off a second-half comeback bid to defeat North Carolina State 92-78.
Duke won its second straight since its only loss of the season, that coming at Florida State last week.
The Blue Devils (17-1, 4-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) took a 14-point lead at halftime and saw that advantage trimmed to five with 13:30 to play. Duke then pulled away down the stretch while limiting the Wolfpack to 36 percent shooting.
Kyle Singler added 18 points and nine rebounds for the Blue Devils and Miles Plumlee scored 13.
North Carolina State (11-7, 1-3) got 19 points from Tracy Smith and 15 from Scott Wood, who hit four 3-pointers. The Wolfpack have lost three straight.
