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CLEMSON, S.C. -- Andre Dawkins hasn't always been counted on to make the winning plays at Duke. Maybe that will change after Dawkins' performance Sunday at Clemson.

Dawkins, a 6-foot-4 junior, has mostly come off the bench in his college career, starting 16 of 91 games at Duke. But he outshone the Blue Devils' starters, making five 3-pointers and scoring 24 points to help No. 8-ranked Duke beat Clemson 73-66 at Littlejohn Coliseum.

Dawkins' showing was all the more important because fellow guards Austin Rivers and Seth Curry combined for 13 points, less than half their usual production.

"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 free throws down the stretch as the Blue Devils beat Clemson for the 26th time in their last 28 meetings.

If Dawkins "has a bad night, we're going to win the game," Tigers coach Brad Brownell 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 with a 14-7 run. Quinn Cook had a jumper and a 3-pointer and Curry added a bucket. 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.

Duke was in front by 10 points after Rivers' layup less with less than seven minutes to go when Clemson 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 responded with his final 3, Young came back with another long-range shot to cut the Tigers' deficit to 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 Duke is lacking.

"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 this season, two points shy of his year's best of 26 in a win over Michigan State in November. But he totaled 14 points in four consecutive games leading into ACC play.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said Dawkins is growing into a key player for the Devils.

"The last two games, Andre's been terrific. He built on that coming into this one," said Krzyzewski, who won his 915th college game.

Mason Plumlee scored 12 points and Cook had 10 for the Blue Devils. Miles Plumlee grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds.

Clemson lost its second consecutive ACC game after a 79-59 win over Florida State.

DUKE (15-2, 3-0)

FG FT Reb

Min M-A M-A O-T A PF Pts

Rivers 28 2-7 0-1 0-1 0 2 4

Cook 19 4-6 0-0 0-1 2 0 10

Curry 31 2-9 4-4 1-3 2 1 9

Mas.Plumlee 26 4-6 4-4 3-7 1 4 12

Kelly 26 3-8 2-3 1-4 2 2 8

Hairston 4 0-1 0-0 0-0 0 1 0

Dawkins 27 7-12 5-6 0-2 0 0 24

Mi.Plumlee 23 3-5 0-0 6-14 0 3 6

Thornton 12 0-3 0-0 1-3 2 1 0

Gbinije 4 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 1 0

Totals 200 25-57 15-18 13-39 9 15 73

Percentages: FG .439, FT .833. Three-point goals: 8-23, .348 (Dawkins 5-9, Cook 2-3, Curry 1-4, Kelly 0-2, Rivers 0-2, Thornton 0-3). Team rebounds: 4. Blocks: 4 (Dawkins 2, Mi. Plumlee, Kelly). Turnovers: 17 (Mi. Plumlee 4, Cook 2, Rivers 2, Kelly 2, Mas. Plumlee 2, Curry 2, Thornton, Gbinije, Dawkins). Steals: 5 (Curry, Mi. Plumlee, Thornton, Dawkins, Kelly).

CLEMSON (9-8, 1-2)

FG FT Reb

Min M-A M-A O-T A PF Pts

Sapp 27 0-1 0-0 0-1 0 1 0

Jennings 27 7-13 1-4 1-4 3 4 16

Smith 34 4-12 2-4 2-7 4 1 11

Young 34 4-14 2-2 0-3 5 1 12

Booker 37 6-14 0-1 7-13 0 5 12

Coleman 7 0-3 1-2 0-1 1 0 1

Narcisse 8 1-2 2-2 2-4 0 2 4

Sullivan 3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 1 0

Hall 7 0-0 2-4 0-1 0 0 2

Baciu 8 2-4 0-1 3-3 0 3 4

McDaniels 8 2-3 0-0 1-1 0 1 4

Totals 200 26-66 10-20 18-40 13 19 66

Percentages: FG .394, FT .500. Three-point goals: 4-16, .250 (Young 2-7, Jennings 1-3, Smith 1-3, Coleman 0-1, Sapp 0-1, Booker 0-1). Team rebounds: 2. Blocks: 2 (Jennings, Young). Turnovers: 12 (Booker 3, Sapp 3, Jennings 2, Baciu 2, Hall, Smith). Steals: 9 (Young 2, Jennings 2, Smith 2, Coleman, McDaniels, Booker).

Duke 32 41 -- 73

Clemson 28 38 -- 66

A--10,000. Officials--Karl Hess, Roger Ayers, Joe Lindsay.