Duke Returns to Title Game

Blue Devils' 78-57 victory sends West Virginia packing
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Apr 3, 2010 10:34 PM CDT
Duke Returns to Title Game
Duke's Mason Plumlee and West Virginia's Joe Mazzulla eye a rebound during the Blue Devils' victory in an NCAA semifinal Saturday, April 3, 2010, in Indianapolis.    (Mark J. Terrill)

Duke moved within 40 minutes of its first national title in 9 years tonight, getting 23 points from Jon Scheyer to pull away from West Virginia, 78-57. Kyle Singler had 21 and Nolan Smith 19 for the Blue Devils, who squashed West Virginia's feel-good story and will now try to put an end to Butler's in Monday night's title game.

In the Final Four for the first time since 2004, Duke opened a double-digit lead in the first half. West Virginia's best hope at a rally ended with 8:59 left when star guard Da'Sean Butler hurt his left knee while driving to the basket and had to be carted off the court. Butler finished with 10 points for the Mountaineers, who were led by Wellington Smith with 12. (More Duke University stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X