Duke bounced back from a sluggish start to dominate Incarnate Word 72-46 in a decisive victory. The Blue Devils, who struggled to find their rhythm early, turned up the defensive pressure and used a strong second half to break away from the Cardinals.
The game opened with Duke looking uncharacteristically disjointed. Incarnate Word, taking advantage of Duke’s slow start, kept the game close in the opening minutes. Duke’s offense was out of sync, committing several turnovers and missing easy shots. The Cardinals, while not a powerhouse, managed to capitalize on the Blue Devils’ mistakes, and at one point, Duke trailed by as many as five points.
However, as the first half progressed, Duke began to settle in. The defensive intensity picked up, and the Blue Devils started to control the tempo. They went on a run, closing the first half with a solid lead of 35-24. This momentum carried over into the second half, where Duke showed why they are one of the top teams in the country.
Duke’s defense was the key in the second half. Incarnate Word struggled to generate offense against the Blue Devils’ pressure, shooting just 32% from the field for the game. Offensively, Duke started to click, with several players finding their rhythm. Freshman guard Tyrese Proctor led the way, contributing both as a scorer and playmaker. Big man Kyle Filipowski also had a strong showing, pulling down rebounds and adding key points inside.
By the time the final buzzer sounded, Duke had extended their lead, cruising to a 72-46 win. Despite the early struggles, the Blue Devils demonstrated their depth and talent, showing that they can overcome adversity and dominate when needed.
