The contest went into the break in a 23-23 deadlock, with both squads squandering chances to build a solid lead.
In the second, Duke opened with an 18-10 spurt, capped by consecutive jumpers from Smith, for a 41-30 lead with 14:14 left and Clemson was forced to play catch-up the rest of the way.
Duke's Lance Thomas scored 13 with seven rebounds. Kyle Singler scored 12, while Jon Scheyer added 11 points, three rebounds and three assists for the Blue Devils (16-3, 4-2), who won a true road contest for the first time this season.
Trevor Booker led Clemson with 22 points and seven rebounds.
Demontez Stitt, the only other Clemson player in double figures, scored 10 with three rebounds and three assists for the Tigers (15-5, 3-3), who have followed a three-game winning streak with two losses.
Copyright 2010 by United Press International
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