Duke Blue Devils Triumph Over N.C. State
In a thrilling matchup on Thursday night, the No. 9 Duke Blue Devils defeated their rival N.C. State with a decisive score of 83-65, marking their impressive 17th consecutive victory. Toby Fournier played a pivotal role, scoring 26 points and securing 12 rebounds, while Arianna Roberson made a strong impact off the bench with 15 points in just 17 minutes. Ashlon Jackson and Riley Nelson contributed 14 and 10 points, respectively, all during a dominant first half where Duke quickly established control of the game.
Record and Performance Highlights
With this win, Duke improved its overall record to 20-6 and a perfect 15-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), remaining at the top of the league standings by one game over No. 8 Louisville. This current streak ties into their earlier victory against North Carolina, showcasing their prowess against in-state competition over a span of just five days.
Duke’s offensive efficiency was highlighted by their field goal percentage of 49.2%, fueled by Fournier’s 8-for-13 shooting and Roberson’s remarkable 7-for-9 performance. Additionally, they dominated the boards with a 41-25 rebounding advantage and Fournier’s stellar free throw performance, hitting 9 of 10 attempts from the line.
N.C. State’s Struggles
Despite a valiant effort from N.C. State, where Khamil Pierre led with 24 points and Zoe Brooks added 21, the Wolfpack struggled significantly from beyond the arc. This matchup marked a historic moment, as it was the first time in over three years that N.C. State failed to make a three-point shot, going 0 for 6 from deep. After narrowing the gap to 54-48 during the third quarter, the Wolfpack’s scoring drought allowed Duke to retake control as Fournier and Roberson combined to hit consecutive threes, expanding the lead to 68-53.
Looking Ahead
This marked a challenging season for N.C. State, which has now recorded nine losses for only the second time in eight years. Up next for N.C. State is a game against Syracuse on Sunday, while Duke will face off against Clemson on the same day.
As the regular season approaches its conclusion, Duke’s impressive streak poses a significant challenge for their competitors as they strive for a strong finish heading into the postseason.
