ACC struggles in SEC/ACC challenge: Duke and North Carolina fall to LSU and Texas

The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) faced a challenging week in its annual series against the Southeastern Conference (SEC), finishing with a 13-3 deficit.

Preseason ACC favorite Duke fell to 3-6 after a 93-77 home loss to No. 5 LSU on Thursday night, while No. 11 North Carolina suffered a 79-64 defeat at No. 2 Texas.

Johnson, Fulwiley help No. 5 LSU beat Duke 93-77 in ACC/SEC Challenge

Flau'jae Johnson had 18 points to lead six players in double figures as No. 5 LSU beat Duke 93-77 in the ACC/SEC Challenge on Thursday night.

MiLaysia Fulwiley added 16 points for the Tigers (9-0), who failed to reach 100 points for the first time this season to end an NCAA-record streak at eight games.

No matter, it was still a dominating offensive performance, with the Tigers shooting 59.7% and scoring 52 points in the paint while needing just five made 3-pointers to crack the 90-point mark.

Ashlon Jackson scored 16 points to lead the Blue Devils (3-6), who have had a miserable start after opening the season as the preseason Atlantic Coast Conference favorite and ranked No. 7 in the AP Top 25.

Duke has lost four straight, the past three coming to No. 3 South Carolina, No. 4 UCLA and now LSU by at least 16 points.

The Tigers had been rolling to huge numbers against overmatched opponents to start the year, with seven of their eight wins coming in Quadrant 4 games - the lowest on a season-long resume. Still, LSU entered leading the country in scoring (112.0), shooting percentage (.555), 3-point percentage (.444) and rebounding margin (+25).

So the Tigers had plenty of punch to handle falling behind 14-1 and not hitting a basket for the first 3 1/2 minutes. LSU made 13 of 21 shots (61.9%) in a 31-point second-quarter to assert control, coming on a night when the Tigers often had more trouble with their own turnovers (18) than attacking Duke's defense.

The Blue Devils shot 50% overall, but couldn't keep up as the Tigers kept the offensive pressure on.

Up next

Duke: The Blue Devils visit Virginia Tech on Sunday to open Atlantic Coast Conference play.

Lee and Booker lead No. 2 Texas past No. 11 North Carolina 79-64 in ACC-SEC challenge

Jordan Lee scored a career-best 22 points, Madison Booker added 18 and No. 2 Texas beat No. 11 North Carolina 79-64 on Thursday night in the ACC-SEC challenge.
Texas (9-0) has won 31 straight home games, this one largely by outscoring North Carolina (8-2) 47-25 in the middle two quarters. Texas led by 24 late in the game.

Lee helped Texas pull away in the second half by stealing two passes and converting them into fast-break layups. Booker hit 10 of 11 free throws.

Kyla Oldacre had 16 points and seven rebounds for the Longhorns, and Justice Carlton scored 11 points. Rori Harmon had eight assists and three of Texas' 11 steals.
Elina Aarnisalo led North Carolina with 17 points. Indya Nivar scored 16.

North Carolina outshot Texas 47% to 46%, but the Tar Heels committed 20 turnovers that the Longhorns turned into 24 points.

The Tar Heels came in averaging nine 3-pointers a game, but shot just 2 for 11 against Texas.

Texas has been without rotation players Aaliyah Crump (foot), Bryanna Preston (ankle) and Ashton Judd (knee) for its last four games. Judd has yet to appear in a game after transferring from Missouri.

The Longhorns had difficulty guarding North Carolina at the start of the game. The Tar Heels hit 10 of 13 from the field in the first quarter, outscoring the Longhorns 16-4 in the paint and taking a 21-16 lead.

The Longhorns pushed back in the second quarter with characteristic rugged defense while driving inside, getting to the free throw line and outscoring North Carolina 23-10. Oldacre scored 10.

Texas dominated the third quarter as well, 24-15, with Carlton scoring 10.

Up next

North Carolina hosts Boston University on Sunday. Texas hosts Prairie View A&M on Sunday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.