Duke defeats Lipscomb 97-73
Duke Dominates Lipscomb in Statement Win at Cameron Indoor Stadium
In a stark contrast to the usual high-energy atmosphere that fills Cameron Indoor Stadium, Tuesday night's matchup between Duke and Lipscomb played out as more of a formality than a competitive contest. The Blue Devils' 97-73 victory was not only a statement win for Coach Jon Scheyer's team but also a testament to their dominance over the non-conference schedule.
The game got off to a frenetic pace, with both teams trading baskets in the first half. However, it wasn't long before Duke took control, outscoring Lipscomb 48-45 at the break and setting the tone for what would be an insurmountable deficit in the second half.
Cameron Boozer led the way for the Blue Devils, scoring 26 points on a impressive 58.8% shooting from the field, including just one three-pointer. He also added 13 rebounds and four assists to round out a well-rounded performance. Cayden Boozer chipped in with nine points, four assists, and two rebounds of his own.
For Lipscomb, Grant Asman led the Bisons with 18 points on 53.8% shooting from the field. Mateo Esmeraldo added 14 points and eight assists to help keep his team in the game for a brief period.
What was most striking about Duke's performance was their ability to dictate the pace of the game. They shot an efficient 36-69 (52.0%) from the field, including just 8-25 (32.0%) three-point attempts. On defense, they held Lipscomb to just 24-61 (39.0%) field goal attempts and forced 16 turnovers.
In contrast, Lipscomb struggled to find its rhythm on offense, shooting just 7-23 (30.0%) from beyond the arc. They also committed a season-high 19 fouls, which gave Duke plenty of opportunities for easy baskets in transition.
Duke's dominance was never in doubt after halftime, as they expanded their lead to as many as 29 points at one point in the second half. The Blue Devils' bench also contributed significantly, outscoring Lipscomb's reserves by an 18-4 margin.
In the end, Duke's 97-73 victory served as a statement win for Coach Scheyer and his team. With several top-ranked teams on their schedule in the coming weeks, this win will likely be remembered as one of the most decisive performances of the season so far.
Game Stats:
Duke (Home):
* Field Goals: 36/69 (52.0%)
* 2-Point FG: 28/44 (63.6%)
* 3-Point FG: 8/25 (32.0%)
* Free Throws: 17/22 (77.0%)
Lipscomb (Away):
* Field Goals: 24/61 (39.0%)
* 2-Point FG: 17/38 (44.7%)
* 3-Point FG: 7/23 (30.0%)
* Free Throws: 18/20 (90.0%)
Game Leaders:
Duke:
* Cameron Boozer - 26 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists
Lipscomb:
* Grant Asman - 18 points, 5 rebounds