Blue Devils Return From Hiatus to Defeat BC

DURHAM, N.C. – Duke returned from a 20-day break a little rusty, but the Blue Devils started 2021 off on the right track as they defeated the Boston College Eagles 83-82 in Durham.

The 20-day layoff is Duke’s second-longest in-season gap between games since 1911-12 when the Blue Devils went on a 29-day hiatus.

Sophomore forward Wendell Moore Jr led all Blue Devils with 25 points and four rebounds, shooting 8-of-13 from the field including two made three-pointers.

Sophomore Matthew Hurt recorded a double-double, scoring  17 points, including shooting 3-6 from the three-point line,  and eleven rebounds. Guard D.J. Steward finished with 14 points, and 12 point contributions from both fellow guards Jeremy Roach and Jordan Goldwire helped fuel the Blue Devils to victory.

Boston College led 43-35 at the half, powered by five made three-point shot attempts.

When asked about a role in leadership, Wendell praised practice as a tool to become better. “Confidence comes in practice,” says Moore Jr. “My teammates are confident in me. They push me to lead. I know they’ll be behind me 100% of the time.”

In what seemed to be a well-coveted road win for Boston College, Duke’s defense produced 21 turnovers from BC (2nd in ACC) to provide a comeback effort to win by one point.

Boston College (2-8, 0-4 ACC) was led by sophomore CJ Felder, who finished with 24 points and four rebounds, while fellow guard Rich Kelly scored a season-high 16 points. The Golden Eagles shot 56% shooting from the floor as a team.

The Blue Devils move to 10-0 against BC in Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Duke (4-2, 2-0 ACC) will look to win back-to-back home games as they host Wake Forest on Saturday, January 9 at 12 noon.