INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -Duke dominated the offensive stats but could only manage a 33-32 halftime lead over Butler in the national championship game.
The Blue Devils, looking for their fourth title – all under coach Mike Krzyzewski – shot 50 percent in the opening 20 minutes. But Butler, the smallest school to play in a championship game since the field was expanded in 1985, was able to outrebound the bigger Blue Devils 24-17, including 12-3 on the offensive end.
There were nine lead changes and two ties in the half, keeping the pro-Butler crowd of 70,000-plus loud and alive.
Butler entered on a 25-game winning streak, and reserve senior forward Avery Jukes was the surprise offensive force for Butler, scoring 10 points in the half – more than triple his 2.7 average for the season.
Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler both had nine points for Duke.
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