Pittsburgh Ends Duke's Perfect Start

This is why I love college basketball season: it is filled with big games against big programs from big conferences. The Big East's Pittsburgh (ranked #9) met the ACC's Duke (#7) in New York's Madison Square Garden tonight ... with the winner continuing their undefeated start to the season.

It was a great basketball game. Duke was gangbusters in the first half ... running out to a 12-point halftime lead. However, Pitt came back with great defensive pressure (holding the Blue Devils to just 38% shooting) and clutch shooting:

DeMarcus Nelson had given the Blue Devils the lead at 63-62 with a twisting reverse layup and foul shot for a three-point play with 1:36 left in overtime. Pitt's DeJuan Blair, who had 20 rebounds, fouled out on the play. Kyle Singler's free throw a minute later made it 64-62.

But Fields, who led all scorers with 21 points, drained his three-pointer on Pitt's final possession, and the clock ran out on Duke, which had no time-outs left and got off only a long three at the buzzer.

Pitt moves to 11-0, but all isn't great for the Panthers. Swingman Mike Cook suffered a severe knee inury about :30 into overtime. No word yet about the severity of it, but Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon seemed to think it was pretty bad:

"This is the most bittersweet night in my coaching career," Dixon said. "I don't think it's good for Mike. We'll do what's best for him. "I told them at the timeout with 16 seconds left to win this one for Mike and then his best friend hits the winning shot after we come back the way we did. I am so proud of my kids."

Cook came out on crutches wearing a knee brace and was taken to a hospital after the game.