Hurt’s Career-Night Leads to a Big Duke Victory

DURHAM, N.C. — Matthew Hurt scored 24 points and accounted for six of Duke’s 13 three-pointers, and the No. 6 Blue Devils used a 19-2 run in the second half to defeat Bellarmine 76-54 on Friday (Dec. 4) night.

The Blue Devils raced to a 17-4 lead and were ahead 25-15 at the break behind the 48-percent shooting. They had six three-pointers, one more than they hit in Tuesday’s 75-69 loss to eighth-ranked Michigan State. 

Bellarmine overcame a 1-of-9 shooting start to get within 28-25 late in the first half before Duke closed with a 7-0 run, retaking a double-digit lead it never lost.

Hurt kept up his hot shooting and finished 9 of 12 from the field, including 6 of 8 from long range. Jaemyn Brakefield made all four from behind the arc for 12 points, while Jalen Johnson overcame two early fouls and finished with nine points. Duke shot 52 percent for the game.

The Knights (0-1), making their Division I debut, got 14 points from Nick Thelen and 13 from Ethan Claycomb. Bellarmine shot 43%, but was just 3 of 9 from long range and outrebounded 38-27.

Duke (2-1) hosts Illinois on Tuesday in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.