Duke Dominates Carolina Battle: Overcoming Adversity to Secure Commanding Win Over Charlotte

Durham, N.C- At the Cameron Indoor Stadium, on Saturday, December 9th, Duke (5-3) took on Charlotte (5-4) in a Carolina Battle, emerging victorious with an 80-56 win. Duke faced adversity with Tyrese Proctor and Christian Reeves sidelined due to ankle injuries. Caleb Foster stepped into the starting lineup in place of Proctor. Following consecutive losses to Arkansas and Georgia Tech, the Blue Devils entered the game determined, evident in their performance from the opening minutes.

Coach Scheyer, in the post-conference, acknowledged the team’s recent struggles, stating, “Our last two games, we simply were not good enough—players and coaches alike. This week was our best week of practice,” and the improvement was evident on the court. The atmosphere in Duke’s arena was electric, not only for basketball but also for new head coach Manny Diaz, who attended with his family.

This game marked Duke’s best start of the season, showcasing numerous runs and excellent ball movement. Freshman Jared McCain ignited the scoring with a transition three-pointer. The man-to-man defense, led by Senior Jeremy Roach, caused early turnovers and established strong ball pressure. Roach and McCain displayed impeccable chemistry, going 3 for 3 beyond the arc early in the game.

While Filipowski had a slow offensive start, Duke capitalized on fast breaks, scoring 15 points without his offensive contribution. Filipowski, focusing on drawing fouls, made a defensive impact, finishing the game with 13 rebounds and 4 assists. Despite Duke’s 20-point lead, Charlotte closed the first half with a 7-0 run.

Returning from halftime, Filipowski overcame an ankle scare, rejoining the team. With Proctor sidelined, Jaylen Blakes stepped up, displaying heart and hustle. Blakes, going 5-5 from the field and 3-3 from beyond the arc, added 15 points to the scoreboard. McCain achieved a career-high 21 points, while Roach contributed 18 points, maintaining his recent scoring average.

Midway through the game, Charlotte narrowed Duke’s lead to 11 points with a 14-2 run. Duke, missing key players, struggled with the pace. Defensive lapses, as acknowledged by Blakes and Roach in post-game interviews, led to the loss of their comfortable lead. Coach Scheyer emphasized the fragility of the game and the need to stay focused.

Despite Charlotte’s efforts, turnovers proved to be their downfall, totaling 10 by the game’s end. Looking ahead, Duke aims to sustain this level of play as they face Hofstra at the Cameron Indoor Stadium on December 12th at 7 PM.