Raleigh, N.C. ? Duke’s supposed lack of depth might not matter much if Shelden Williams keeps playing this well.

Williams scored 18 of his 22 points in the second half to help the fifth-ranked Blue Devils beat North Carolina State, 86-74, Thursday night.

Daniel Ewing added 17 points for Duke (12-0, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference).

Behind Williams, the Blue Devils scored on nine straight possessions midway through the second half to charge ahead after trailing by 10 early. Duke received strong performances from inexperienced players Lee Melchionni and freshman DeMarcus Nelson, who have been pressed into significant minutes because of the Blue Devils’ thin bench.

It was hardly a vintage Duke victory, filled with the quick scoring runs that carried the Blue Devils to three national championships in 14 years. But with just eight recruited scholarship players on the roster, it’s the way the Blue Devils will have to grind through a tough ACC season.

Not that their Hall of Fame coach seems to mind.

“I really love my team, and they are so much fun,” Mike Krzyzewski said. “They’re not (Christian) Laettner or (Elton) Brand, but they make plays. I enjoy watching the evolution of this team, and I’m just so proud of what they’re accomplishing.”

It was a different feeling for the Wolfpack (10-5, 0-2), who have lost four straight games for the first time since the 1999-2000 season. N.C. State reached No. 12 in the nation last month, but its once-promising season appears headed in the wrong direction.

That included another shaky outing from Julius Hodge, the league’s reigning player of the year. Hodge finished with 13 points and five turnovers.

North Carolina State's Julius Hodge, top, battles with Duke's Sheldon Williams. Williams scored 22 points to lead Duke to an 86-74 victory Thursday night in Raleigh, N.C.

“I think our team is going through a tough stretch, and I think we’re all frustrated,” Wolfpack coach Herb Sendek said. “We understand the answer is not to panic or flinch. We’ve got to come closer together and work harder.”

Duke had taken 29 of 34 meetings coming into Thursday’s game, but the Wolfpack had beaten the Blue Devils at the RBC Center in each of the past two seasons. Last year, N.C. State’s 78-74 win knocked Duke from the No. 1 ranking.

No. 14 Washington 77, Oregon 56

Seattle — Tre Simmons and Bobby Jones each scored 15 points, and Nate Robinson and Jamaal Williams added 14 apiece, leading No. 14 Washington over Oregon. Simmons added a career-high 12 rebounds to help the Huskies (14-2, 4-1 Pac-10) win their 16th straight at home.

No. 16 Gonzaga 76, Loyola Marymount 65

Spokane, Wash. — J.P. Batista scored 17 points in his first start, and Ronny Turiaf added 16 on his 22nd birthday in No. 16 Gonzaga’s victory. Gonzaga (12-3, 2-1 West Coast Conference), coming off a loss to Saint Mary’s on Saturday that ended its conference winning streak at 17, received 13 points each from Sean Mallon and Derek Raivio.

No. 17 Arizona 77, Southern California 68

Tucson, Ariz. — Chris Rodgers scored a career-high 22 points, seven during a decisive second-half surge, and 17th-ranked Arizona kept Southern California winless in the Pac-10.

Salim Stoudamire had 21 points on 5-of-9 shooting from three-point range for the Wildcats (13-3 overall, 3-1 Pac-10), who rebounded from a 87-76 loss at California. Hassan Adams added 15 points, and Channing Frye had 12.

Memphis 78, No. 22 Marquette 68

Memphis, Tenn. — Rodney Carney scored 29 points, and freshman guard Darius Washington had 20 points and five assists in Memphis’ victory over No. 22 Marquette.

Carney was 10-of-20 from the field, and Washington was 8-of-14 for the Tigers (9-7, 2-0 Conference USA). Anthony Rice added 17 points.

Dameon Mason led the Golden Eagles (13-2, 1-1) with 20 points, and Ryan Amoroso had 16 points and 12 rebounds.