Coach K returns, No. 9 Duke rolls past Florida State

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Joey Baker hadn't seen a 3-pointer fall in three weeks for Duke. He stayed confident that it was just a matter of time.

When he got hot Saturday night, so did the ninth-ranked Blue Devils in finally stretching out a lead in a tight game.

Freshman forward Paolo Banchero scored 17 points and Baker had 12 first-half points to help Duke beat Florida State 88-70, a win coming with retiring Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski back after missing the second half of the previous game because he wasn't feeling well.

Baker's points came on four 3-pointers. That included back-to-back shots from each corner during the Blue Devils' game-changing push, which turned a one-point lead into a 52-41 halftime margin and ultimately a 24-point lead late.

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Duke forwards Joey Baker (13) and Wendell Moore Jr. (0) react following a play against Florida State during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022.  (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

"I hadn't played great obviously over the past few weeks or whatever," Baker said. "But just staying ready for my team knowing there would be a time when my name's called and I'll need to step up and make some shots or make some plays."

Baker had gone 0 for 8 from 3 over the last seven games since making three 3s against Clemson on Jan. 25.

"I thought he had two really good days of practice," Krzyzewski said. "And he was prepared."

The Blue Devils (23-4, 13-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) closed the half on a 12-2 burst to take a 52-41 lead against the injury-depleted Seminoles, then did a better job containing FSU's drivers after halftime. Duke