DURHAM, N.C. — Florida State's players celebrated their game-sealing defensive stop by cutting loose, whooping it up in front of those famously rowdy Cameron Crazies.
After 15 straight losses on Duke's fabled home floor, the Seminoles finally had a reason to party.
Al Thornton scored 21 points and Florida State stopped Duke cold in the final minute to seal a 68-67 victory over the eighth-ranked Blue Devils on Sunday.
And after the Seminoles' first victory at Cameron Indoor Stadium, the players danced and celebrated in front of Duke's notoriously noisy student section.
"That was just a little excitement. We went over there and showed them a little love," Thornton said. "I think we overdid it, but we apologize, though, that we did all that."
Toney Douglas added 15 points and Uche Echefu had 12 for the Seminoles (17-6, 5-4 Atlantic Coast Conference), who overcame a 17-point deficit to win their third straight and avenge a tough loss here last year.
"Duke has set a benchmark, and they set the bar awful high," Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton said. "So to get a win here against a very good Duke team that's nationally ranked does a lot for your players' confidence and the morale of your program."
Duke had two late chances after David McClure rebounded Douglas' miss with about 30 seconds left. The Blue Devils brought it downcourt and called timeout with 7.7 seconds left to set up their final play. DeMarcus Nelson inbounded the ball to Greg Paulus, and he missed a layup.
A jump ball was called on the rebound, and the possession arrow pointed toward Duke. Josh McRoberts took the inbounds pass in the lane with about 2 seconds left, and his floater rimmed out. Nelson's putback attempt bounced off the rim as time expired.
Paulus finished with a career-high 23 points for Duke (18-5, 5-4), which has lost two straight in the final seconds and now must beat rival North Carolina on Wednesday to avoid their first three-game losing streak since 1999.
"We've lost a couple in a row, and no matter who it is, we're going to be ready to play," Paulus said.
Nelson scored 14 points and McRoberts added 12 for Duke, which held Florida State scoreless over the final 3:18 but couldn't hit the big shot in the final moments.