Field Level Media
Jan 30, 2021
Matthew Hurt scored 13 points in a balanced effort as Duke rolled to an easy 79-53 dismantling of Clemson in Atlantic Coast Conference play on Saturday at Durham, N.C.
Jeremy Roach added 12 points as Duke led by as many as 35 in the wire-to-wire blowout victory. Wendell Moore Jr., DJ Steward and Mark Williams added 11 points apiece as the Blue Devils (7-5, 5-3 ACC) won their second straight game following a three-game slide.
Jalen Johnson contributed nine points, eight rebounds and five assists for Duke, which allowed its fewest points of the season.
Aamir Simms recorded 19 points and six rebounds for Clemson, which suffered its 19th straight loss on the Duke campus. The Tigers dropped to 4-64 on the road against the Blue Devils.
Clemson (10-5, 4-5) shot 35.1 percent from the field, including 5 of 21 from 3-point range, while losing for the fourth time in the past five games.
Duke shot 45.9 percent from the field -- including 10 of 31 from behind the arc -- and owned a 40-34 rebounding edge. The Blue Devils held a 15-2 edge in fast-break points.
Duke didn't look like a squad that has been viewed as underachievers most of the season.
The Blue Devils dominated from the outset and held a 17-5 lead after Joey Baker drained a 3-pointer with 9:53 left in the first half.
Moore knocked down a 3-pointer to boost the lead to 27-11 with 6:09 remaining.
Clemson pulled within 12 later in the half before Duke scored the final seven points of the half, capped by Moore's 3-pointer for a 41-22 halftime advantage.
The start of the second half was no different as Steward, Hurt and Moore each hit 3-pointers during an opening 11-0 salvo that increased the margin to 30.
Williams slammed home a dunk with 11:12 left and added two free throws 16 seconds later as Duke boosted the lead to 69-34 and cruised the rest of the way.
--Field Level Media