BIG EAST/ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE

Eagles tied for 1st, but dance curbed

— Marquette Coach Buzz Williams wanted to celebrate the 18thranked Golden Eagles’ latest victory that moved them back into a first-place tie in the Big East. Then, remembering there was still nearly a month until NCAA Selection Sunday, he decided against it.

Vander Blue scored 19 points to lead Marquette past No. 16 Pittsburgh 79-69 on Saturday for its 23rd consecutive home victory - the fourth longest active streak in the country.

“I want to be really excited and I want to dance in the locker room,” Williams said. “I can’t. Because then I won’t work tomorrow. And if we don’t work tomorrow and don’t figure out a way to find a way to beat Seton Hall [on Tuesday], then we’ve lost the impact of what this positive work was.”

Blue, Marquette’s leading scorer, was 7 of 8 from thefield and 3 for 4 on free throws to go with six rebounds for the Golden Eagles (18-6, 9-3). On Monday, Blue made just three shots and scored seven points in a 63-55 loss at No. 15 Georgetown, which is also 9-3 in league play.

Lamar Patterson scored 19 points to lead Pittsburgh (20-6, 8-5), which entered the game fifth in the nation in scoring defense (54.4 points per game). Tray Woodall added 10 points and eight assists for the Panthers, who lost for just the second time in their past nine games.

In other Big East games, Kadeem Batts scored 20 points and Vincent Council had 11 assists to become Providence’s career leader, carrying the host Friars (14-11, 6-7) to a 71-54 victory over No. 21 Notre Dame (20-6, 8-5). ... Worrel Clahar scored 19 points to lead host DePaul (11-14, 2-10) to a 75-69 victory over Rutgers (13-11, 4-9), snapping the Blue Demons’ ninegame losing streak. ... Ryan Arcidiacono scored 25 points and Villanova (16-10, 7-6) grabbed 20 offensive rebounds in beating Connecticut (17-7, 7-5) on the road, 70-61.

ATLANTIC COAST Duke defeated

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Seth Allen broke a tie by making two free throws with 2.8 seconds left, and Maryland stunned No. 2 Duke 83-81 Saturday night to end a six-game skid against its bitter rival.

As the final horn sounded, thousands of fans from the sellout crowd charged ontothe court to celebrate the Terrapins’ most significant victory of the season. Maryland had lost 12 of 13 against Duke.

The Terrapins (18-7, 6-6 Atlantic Coast Conference) did not trail after halftime but never could pull away from the weary Blue Devils, who were playing their third game in a seven-day span.

Duke (22-3, 9-3) trailed by 10 with 3:39 left but pulled even when Rasheed Sulaimon made three free throws with 16.7 seconds to go. Quinn Cook fouled Allen as the freshman guard drove through the lane, and Allen made both shots.

Alex Len had 19 points and nine rebounds for Maryland, and Allen scored 16.

Duke had its six-game winning streak end. Seth Curry scored 25 and Cook added 18.

In other ACC games, P.J. Hairston scored a career-high 29 points in his second consecutive start to help North Carolina (17-8, 7-5) beat Virginia (18-7, 8-4) 93-81 on Saturday. Joe harris scored a career-high 27 points to lead the Cavaliers. ... Michael Snaer scored 21 points and Okaro White added 13 as host Florida State (14-11, 6-6) hung on for a 69-66 victory over Boston College (11-14, 3-9). ... Scott Wood scored 22 points and Lorenzo Brown scored six of his 15 in overtime to help host North Carolina State (18-7, 7-5) win 90-86 over Virginia Tech. ... Robert Carter Jr. hit two free throws with 8.7 seconds left, and Georgia Tech (14-10, 4-8) held off a last-chance shot by host Wake Forest (11-14, 4-9) for a 57-56 victory.

Sports, Pages 35 on 02/17/2013

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