If Duke fans expected a similar game to the first matchup against Boston College where the Blue Devils won by 39 points, they were in for a rude awakening. Duke played the majority of the game in Conte Forum flat and Boston College spent the majority of the game with the lead fending off small Blue Devils spurts.
Duke spent the entirety of the first half searching for buckets that didn’t materialize. Duke shot only 26.7% from the field and was out rebounded in that first half 23-17 and that led to a Boston College lead of 24-21 at the break. The Blue Devils attempted 12 3-point shots in the first half to no avail.
The second half saw the Blue Devils shoot much better from the field at 48.4%. The Blue Devils tied the game at 24 two minutes into the second half, even taking a 1 point lead a few seconds later. The teams traded leads until around the 6 minute mark where the Blue Devils went on a 10 – 0 run to put the game out of reach. The spark for the Blue Devil came with around 11:37 left in the game when forward Joey Baker, who had seemingly been in the doghouse, was called on to deliver energy and buckets. Baker hit a jumper to tie the game, then completed a 3-point play to tie the score again. A few series later Joey Baker hit Dukes only 3-point shot to trim the Eagles lead at the time to 1 point. Baker would end the game 3-3 from the field, scoring 8 points.
Duke was paced by Tre Jones who come alive late to lead the Blue Devils to the victory. Jones scored 18 points on 7-15 shooting, Jones also dished 4 assists. Vernon Carey Jr., who battled foul trouble in the second half scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
The 63 points scored by the Blue Devils was the lowest output of the season. Both teams shot 37% for the game and neither shot above 12% from the 3-point line.
