It took Duke nearly 10 minutes to score 10 points against Cal as the Blue Devils had another slow start offensively. Once again Duke's defense was huge in keeping Duke ahead until the offense caught up. Vernon Carey Jr. caught up quickly. Vernon Carey Jr. scored 21 of his 31 points in the first half while grabbing 7 rebounds and blocking 2 shots in the half alone. Duke rode Carey to a 19 point lead at the break. Tre Jones added 6 assist to the first half cause as well as 8 points.
Duke continued their dominance on the defense end in the second half, holding the Bears to a season low 36% from the field. The Blue Devils expected to have to stop the Bears from beyond the arc and the Duke defense limited the Golden Bears to a season low 10 attempts from 3 (4-10).
Vernon Carey Jr. was a monster in all phases for the Blue Devils scoring 31 points on 11-28 shooting. Carey Jr. also added 12 rebounds and 4 blocks on the way to his 3rd straight double-double. Tre Jones logged 29 minutes in the game, resting when the outcome was assured. In his 29 minutes Jones dished 7 assist. Jones didn't shoot well from the field but did add 8 points on 2-10 shooting, 4 rebounds and a steal. Wendell Moore Jr. added 5 assists and scored in double figures with 10 points. Duke also got 11 points from Cassius Stanley who also added 4 rebounds.
Some other positives for Duke in this game - free throw shooting, the Blue Devils had been fairly bad from the charity stripe this season but manage to shoot 23-31 for 74% from the free throw line. Duke also shot 37% from beyond the arc and 41% overall from the field.
