Duke Wins 2006 ACC Championship In Thriller Over Boston College

Courtesy: Duke Sports Information

Release: 03/12/2006

GREENSBORO, N.C. - J.J. Redick hit two late three-pointers and the Blue Devils hit just enough free throws down the stretch to win their seventh ACC Championship in the past eight seasons with a thrilling 78-76 win over third-seeded Boston College Sunday here at the Greensboro Coliseum.

Redick finished the game with 26 points becoming the ACC Tournament's all-time leading scorer in the process and 15 of his points came on two seperate flurries of triples in the second half. Duke held a slim 48-47 lead seven minutes into the second half before Redick's first flurry of three three-pointers in 1:30 to put Duke up 57-47 with 11 minutes remaining.

Boston College jumped back into the game and took a 71-68 lead before Redick hit a pair of three-pointers 36 seconds apart to put Duke up 74-73. Josh McRoberts hit one of two from the line and after a defensive stop, Shelden Williams hit both of his free throws to give Duke a three point lead at 77-73. Boston College's Louis Hinnant hit a clutch three-pointer with 4.4 seconds left to give the Eagles one last shot. Greg Paulus hit his first and missed his second free throw and Boston College missed a desperation three-quarter court heave to give Duke the championship.

Redick had a rare off night from the free throw line but hit 7-of-11 three-pointers in the game and added four assists to lead Duke in that category.

Williams finished with 18 points, eight rebounds and three blocks and McRoberts made big play after big play and hit all five field goals to finish with 16 points and five rebounds. Paulus hit double figures on his last free throw with 10 points and added a career-high five steals.

Williams and Redick both made the all-tournament team while Redick earned his second-straight tournament MVP honor. Paulus and McRoberts made the second-team for the all-tournament squad.

Duke receives the automatic bid from the Atlantic Coast Conference and will now await its NCAA tournament fate later this evening on the selection show special on CBS.