Duke Begins 2K Empire Classic With Big Win

Durham, N.C. – Duke began the 2019 2K Empire Classic with a convincing 105-54 win in Cameron Indoor Stadium on Tuesday night over Central Arkansas. This is the first of two games at home in the tournament before heading to New York to play at Madison Square Garden.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski had six players reach double-digit scoring with freshman Matthew Hurt leading all scorers with 19 points. Vernon Carey Jr had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Carey’s double-double was the first Blue Devil this season to reach that feat.

Freshman guard Cassius Stanley finished the night 5-for-5 to bring his season field goal percentage to 82% (18-22 FG). Stanley entered the night ass the ACC’s second-leading shooter at 71.5% from the field.

Sophomore guard Tre Jones went down in the first half after a collision resulted in Jones being hit in his head pretty hard. Jones would walk off gingerly and would eventually be okay but was held out of the remainder of the game for “precautionary reasons.”

Duke registered 14 steals tonight, a season-high. Through three games, Duke’s 37 team steals is the most since the 2006-07 team which also had 37 through the same mark.

The 2K Empire Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project is in the seventh year of their partnership. With the mission to honor and empower Wounded Warriors, WWP is the hand extended to encourage warriors as they adjust to their new normal and achieve new triumphs. The Classic is in its 25th year with it being held at MSG for the previous 22 years. Duke, Georgetown, Texas, and California all headline the four regions. The Championship Rounds will take place on November 21-22.

Duke (3-0) will host Georgia State on Friday night in the second game of the Empire Classic before playing two games at MSG next week.