Seth Allen hits two late free throws as Maryland ekes out a win over No. 2 Duke

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, last night to end a six-game skid against its bitter rival.

Maryland had lost 12 of 13 to Duke, including a 20-point embarrassment last month.

The Terrapins (18-7, 6-6 Atlantic Coast Conference) did not trail after halftime but could not 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 foul shots with 16.7 seconds to go. Quinn Cook then fouled Allen as the freshman guard drove through the lane, and Allen made both shots.

After a Duke timeout, Cook's desperation 30-footer bounced off the back rim.

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

Duke's six-game winning streak ended. Seth Curry scored 25 and Cook 18. But 6-10 center Mason Plumlee (four points, three rebounds) was completely outplayed by the 7-1 Len, who went 6-for-8 from the field and 7-for-8 at the foul line.

"This has been an exhausting schedule for our team," coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "We're playing on fumes and I think you could tell that with Mason."

Maryland committed a whopping 26 turnovers, eight by Allen, but the Terrapins shot an impressive 60 percent and finished with a 40-20 rebounding advantage.

Maryland played without reserve guard Pe'Shon Howard, who was suspended for violating team rules.

Maryland led 66-63 before Allen scored on a drive. Dez Wells then stole the ball from Cook and went in for a dunk for a seven-point lead with 5:20 left. After the Blue Devils closed to 71-63, James Padgett made a layup for Maryland and Wells made two foul shots for a 10-point cushion.

It was 80-72 before Curry made two straight three-pointers to bring Duke to 80-78 with a little less than a minute left. After Wells was called for a charge, Curry's 15-footer bounced in and out of the basket.