Field Level Media
Jan 19, 2021
Justin Champagnie poured in 31 points to go with 14 rebounds as Pittsburgh repelled visiting Duke for a 79-73 victory Tuesday night in Pittsburgh.
It marked the first victory in three tries for coach Jeff Capel against his former team. He's an ex-Duke player and associate head coach, with the Panthers falling to his alma mater in each of the past two seasons.
Au'diese Toney supplied 22 points and 11 rebounds for the Panthers (8-2, 4-1 Atlantic Coast Conference). Xavier Johnson had nine points and 11 assists. Champagnie blocked five shots.
Duke's Jalen Johnson, in his first extensive action in more than a month as he's coming off a foot injury, recorded 24 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists. Wendell Moore Jr. chipped in 15 points, Matthew Hurt added 13 points and Jeremy Roach scored 11 points for the Blue Devils (5-4, 3-2), who have lost consecutive road games.
Pittsburgh scored four straight points, beginning with Toney's dunk at the 56-second mark that pushed the edge to 77-73. Johnson followed with a pair of free throws.
The Blue Devils didn't score in the last 1:21, missing their final four shots.
A day earlier, Duke was out of the Top 25 for the first time in five years.
Pittsburgh used a 14-0 run late in the first half and led 43-34 at the break. The margin grew to 15 points before Duke's charge.
The Blue Devils rode Johnson's energy to pull within 68-66 at the 5:35 mark, though the freshman picked up his fourth foul less than 30 seconds later. He fouled out with 2:15 to go with the Blue Devils trailing by three points.
Champagnie posted a double-double in the first half in just his second game since a December injury. During his absence, the teams were supposed to meet at Duke, but the game was called off because of Pittsburgh's coronavirus issues.
Pittsburgh overcame 13 turnovers and 24-for-37 free-throw shooting. Toney was 13 of 17 on free throws.
--Field Level Media