Las Vegas, Nevada - The Duke Blue Devils handed the top team in the land
their first defeat of the season as Gonzaga fell in the Continental Tire Challenge.

The fifth-ranked Blue Devils beat the Bulldogs 84-81 to stay undefeated while also snapping Gonzaga’s six-game winning streak.

These two teams have been some of the NCAA’s biggest men’s basketball powerhouses over the years, leaving every matchup a close battle.

Friday night was no different, as each side could only achieve single-digit leads at best throughout all 40 minutes of the game.

This game played out like a late-round tournament matchup, full of lead changes. Crucially, the Blue Devils managed to take a three-point advantage which stayed put, as both teams scored the same amount of points by the final buzzer, giving Duke the win.

Freshman forward Paolo Banchero took on the role of team leader and he very much played the part.

He came into the game leading Duke with 17.8 points per game and rebounds at eight per contest. The 19-year-old is in the conversation as a potential no.1 NBA draft pick. Off the back of his performance on Friday, it's no wonder.

Banchero finished the game with 8-for-17 shooting, including 3 of 8 from long range, for 21 points, five rebounds, and two assists.

The close losses are often the toughest to take, but it could’ve been worse for Gonzaga, given they committed twice as many turnovers as Duke.

If the Blue Devils had made more than half of their shots, and Gonzaga’s defense hadn't stood as firm as it did, the Bulldogs could’ve suffered a bigger deficit.

All in all, it's something for the nation’s top team to build on as they continue through the season with college basketball’s biggest target on their backs.

On Tuesday, the Blue Devils travel to face the Ohio State Buckeyes while on Monday, the Bulldogs look to get back on track at home against the Tarleton Texans.