Duke routs Cyclones in Chicago

Iowa State's quest for the signature win of its season - and the Greg McDermott era - will have to wait.

Fifth-ranked Duke picked the Cyclones apart on offense and pressured them like crazy defensively in a decisive 86-65 nationally televised victory last night at the United Center in Chicago.

ISU (10-4) saw its four-game winning streak come to a screeching halt. The non-conference schedule ends Saturday with a home game against North Dakota State.

The Cyclones have lost their last 15 games to ranked opponents and all 14 under McDermott. The fourth-year coach will have a few more chances to snap that streak. Second-ranked Texas visits Hilton Coliseum next Wednesday in the Big 12 opener and No. 1 Kansas comes to town Jan. 24.

Duke (13-1) raced to a 14-2 lead in the opening minutes and it looked like the rout was on. But ISU cut the deficit to one with 11 straight points. It was the closest the Cyclones got.

Chicago native Jon Scheyer put on a show in front of the home crowd with a game-high 31 points, including four 3-pointers. Duke backcourt mate Nolan Smith had 20 points and

All-America hopeful Kyle Singler added 15 points and eight rebounds.

ISU's Marquis Gilstrap hit a 30-foot 3-point shot just before the halftime buzzer that cut Duke's lead to 41-33. The Cyclones weren't able to carry that into the second half.

A flurry of turnovers allowed the Blue Devils to extend their lead into double digits and they were never seriously threatened the rest of the game.

ISU forward Craig Brackins had more fouls (3) than points (2) in the first half.

Brackins, who averages 17.4 points and 8.4 rebounds, finished with 12 points and three rebounds but wasn't able to get into much of a rhythm thanks to Duke's tough defense.

Gilstrap led ISU with 16 points and eight rebounds.