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CHICAGO (Ticker) -- What a difference 2 1/2 weeks can make. Behind a strong effort from senior Chris Carrawell, 15th-ranked Duke defeated No. 16 Illinois, 72-69, as part of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge in front of 20,143 at the United Center. The Blue Devils (4-2) began their season with two losses -- both to ranked teams -- for the first time since 1958 but have rebounded with four straight wins. Victories over Army, Columbia and Southern California were one thing, but this was a true test. Carrawell scored five points during a crucial 17-4 second-half run and tallied Duke's final four by going 4-of-4 from the foul line in the last 2:25. Being asked to lead the team offensively while several standout freshmen develop, Carrawell also had seven rebounds and three assists while guarding Illinois standout Cory Bradford. "I am very proud of my team," said Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski. "It was a defensive struggle. Points were hard to come by in the second half. I thought our veteran players, Carrawell and (Shane) Battier, did a great job in the second half." One of those freshmen, point guard Jason Williams, scored 17 points for the Blue Devils, who evened the all-time series at two wins apiece. Duke and Illinois met in the first college basketball game at the United Center nearly five years ago. "I thought Jason Williams played really well even though he had a couple of turnovers down the stretch," Krzyzewski said. "Our young guys are not calling for the ball and he needs help out there." Illinois (2-1) did not score from the field in the final 2:45 but still had a chance to tie after Carrawell made two free throws with 14 seconds remaining. Freshman point guard Frank Williams pushed the ball upcourt and, with seven seconds to play, launched a long 3-pointer from well beyond the NBA line that bounced off the back of the rim. Jason Williams grabbed the rebound and ran out the clock. Frank Williams and Bradford scored 14 points apiece for the Fighting Illini, whose coach, Lon Kruger, was facing Duke for the first time since his Florida squad lost to the Blue Devils in the 1994 Final Four. "Frank doesn't mind taking the big shot," said Kruger. "He has to learn what it's like to play the point guard of a Big Ten club ... learning how to make players around him better. He has to learn when it is a good shot for him or a good shot for the team." Williams, a native of Peoria, was all or nothing for the Illini. He shot just 4-of-17 from the field but drilled consecutive 3-pointers to bring Illinois within 68-63 with 3:46 left. Robert Archibald made one free throw with 3:05 left and his tip-in on the Illini's next possession cut the deficit to two points. Carrawell and Bradford, who was held to four points in the second half, traded free throws, and after Duke's Shane Battier missed a 3-pointer, Archibald connected on the second of two foul shots with 41 seconds remaining to make it a one-point game. "I thought Carrawell did a terrific job against Cory Bradford," Krzyzewski said. "We spent so much time guarding Bradford because he is a sensational player." Duke immediately put the ball into the hands of Carrawell, who drove left, pulled up for a jumper and was fouled by Lucas Johnson. Carrawell made free throws before and after an Illinois timeout and Frank Williams missed the potential game-tying shot. "It was a good game for us to learn from," Kruger added. "I thought Duke took us out of some things we were trying to do. Duke is an outstanding club." The Illini led 40-35 at halftime and were on top 46-40 after Archibald converted a layup with 17:25 to play. But Nate James' follow ignited the 17-4 run, during wich Carrawell made two free throws and completed a three-point play. Jason Williams, who dished out seven assists and grabbed seven rebounds, capped the run with a 3-pointer that gave Duke a 57-50 advantage with 9:25 left. Battier had 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Blue Devils, who overcame 18 turnovers, six by Williams. They shot 40 percent (24-of-60) and held a slight 46-45 rebounding edge. The Illini connected on just 34 percent (23-of-68) of their shots, including 8-of-23 from 3-point range. Frank Williams was 3-of-10 from beyond the arc and Bradford, who entered the game averaging 17.5 points, was 2-of-7. This game was the feature matchup on the first day of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. The ACC also received wins from Maryland and Wake Forest, which beat Iowa and Wisconsin, respectively. The Big Ten's lone victory came courtesy of Minnesota, which topped Virginia. "I'm an old timer and I remember when the Big East and the ACC played games," Krzyzewski said. "I am always in favor of something that is good for basketball. It is nice to see a premier conference like the Big Ten against our conference." "I think it is good for college basketball," Kruger said of the challenge. "It's good for our club because we get a chance to see where we're at against a very good basketball team. I would have preferred to have won it." On Wednesday, seventh-ranked Michigan State of the Big Ten visits No. 2 North Carolina.
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