Duke’s defense and transition game made the difference in a close game.

The 9th-ranked Blue Devils scored 13 points off eight Auburn turnovers and had a 14-0 edge in fast-break points to earn an 84-78 victory over the on Wednesday night at Cameron Indoor Stadium to secure the 2nd place Tigers.

Auburn falls to 7-1 on the season.

The Blue Devils built a 12-point lead early in the second half, but Auburn got within two points and kept the lead close for the remaining seven minutes. AU made just 1 of 12 field goals in a crucial period in the final minutes that allowed Duke to secure the win.

Tahaad Pettiford, who had four fouls in the final eight and a half minutes, had 20 points off the bench for AU. Johni Broome recorded the 66th double-double of his career with 20 points and 12 rebounds.

Chad Baker-Mazara added 17 points and Miles Kelly 14 on 4 of 5 3-point shots.

Duke led 43-36 at halftime, erasing an early 11-point AU lead. Duke outrebounded AU 25-15 and Isaiah Evans had all 18 of his points on 6 of 8 3-pointers off the bench in the first half.

Cooper Flagg led the Blue Devils with 22 points.

Duke was plus-15 in free throw attempts and made 17 of 27. AU was 10 of 12 from the line.

Auburn returns to action on Sunday against Richmond. Tipoff at Neville Arena is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT on SEC Network.