EditorsNote: Minor edits for style
Markell Johnson racked up 28 points and Devon Daniels scored 25 as NC State ripped through No. 6 Duke in an 88-66 upset Wednesday night at Raleigh, N.C.
The Wolfpack (17-9, 8-7 ACC) withstood a second-half threat from Duke and then pulled away, picking up a much-needed quality victory to enhance their NCAA Tournament aspirations.
DJ Funderburk tacked on 21 points and nine rebounds for NC State.
A massive court storming followed the final horn as the Wolfpack knocked off one of their neighbors.
The Wolfpack improved to 5-6 against Top 10 opponents under coach Kevin Keatts, and another visits Saturday when No. 8 Florida State shows.
NC State has won three of its past four meetings with Duke.
The Blue Devils (22-4, 12-3) had a seven-game winning streak halted despite Vernon Carey Jr.'s 27 points and Tre Jones' 17. The Blue Devils' other three losses came by seven or fewer points.
Duke fell out of first place, a half-game behind Louisville. The Blue Devils scored just 19 points in the last 12 minutes.
NC State center Manny Bates fouled out with 11:18 to play at a time when Duke looked poised to continue a comeback. Instead, Johnson had another 3-pointer, and the Wolfpack hit the accelerator again.
Johnson banked in a shot from near halfcourt to end the first half, pushing the Wolfpack's advantage to 44-29.
NC State, playing a home game for the first time in 18 days, scored the first five points of the second half as Duke shot 0-for-4 on free throws. The margin reached 23 points.
But Duke was within 59-47 with 12 minutes to play.
Earlier, Daniels had 14 of the Wolfpack's first 22 points. Johnson drained consecutive 3-pointers and it was 28-13. Duke turnovers helped NC State go up 39-25.
Johnson has connected on three halfcourt shots this season, doing so before halftime at home against Wisconsin and at the final horn to knock off UNC Greensboro.
There will be a rematch March 2 at Duke.
--Field Level Media
