Andre Dawkins hasn't always been counted on to make the winning plays at Duke. Maybe that will change after his performance on Sunday night.
Dawkins, a 6-foot-4 junior, has mostly come off the bench in his career, starting 16 of 91 games at Duke. But Dawkins outshone the starters, making five 3-pointers and scoring 24 points to help eighth-ranked Duke beat Clemson 73-66.
Dawkins' showing was all the more clutch since star guards Austin Rivers and Seth Curry combined for just 13 points, less than half their usual production of almost 28 points a game.
"Andre is capable of that if we do a good job getting him open," Duke forward Mason Plumlee said. "He created stuff for himself as well. He met the challenge today and played just unbelievable."
The Blue Devils (15-2, 3-0 ACC) overcame a sluggish start to pull away from the Tigers (9-8, 1-2).
Duke had to overcome a late rally by Clemson, which cut a 13-point lead to 68-64 in the final minute on two 3-pointers by Andre Young. But Dawkins made three foul shots down the stretch as the Blue Devils beat Clemson for the 26th time in the last 28 meetings.
If Dawkins "has a bad night, we're going to win the game," coach Brad Brownell of the Tigers said.
Milton Jennings had 16 points for the Tigers and Devin Booker added 12 points and 13 rebounds.
Duke looked as if it had put the game out of reach when it opened the second half on a 14-7 run. Quinn Cook had a jumper and a 3-pointer and Seth Curry added a basket. Miles Plumlee put back his brother Mason's miss for two more points. By the time Dawkins made his third 3-pointer of the game, the Blue Devils were ahead 46-33.
The Blue Devils were still in front by 10 on Rivers' layup with less than seven minutes to go when the Tigers put on a final charge. Andre Young hit a 3-pointer and K.J. McDaniel a basket to cut the lead to 65-61.
After Dawkins answered with his final three, Young came back with another long-range basket to bring the Tigers within four one last time. That's when Dawkins extended the margin with his foul shots and Clemson could not respond.
Dawkins said he was comfortable in his role, providing a spark in whatever area's lacking during a game.
"Pretty much everybody on this team can score the ball, so I doubt if you'll see 20 points game after game," Dawkins said. "But I think if I stay focused and keep working like I have, I can be a little bit more consistent than I have been."
Consistency has been Dawkins' problem this season. This was his eighth game in double figures. But he totaled 14 points in four straight games leading into ACC play.
Coach Mike Krzyzewski of Duke said Dawkins is growing into a key player for the Blue Devils. "The last two games, Andre's been terrific. He built on that coming into this one," said Krzyzewski, who won his 915th game.
Mason Plumlee scored 12 points and Cook had 10 for the Blue Devils. Miles Plumlee had a game-high 14 rebounds.
The Blue Devils came in having won 10 of their past 11 games here.
Krzyzewski was so upset after Tanner Smith's unchallenged drive to the hoop, he called timeout less than two minutes in and replaced all five starters. Clemson's lead eventually reached 16-7 on Devin Coleman's foul shot with 11:46 to go in the half.
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