Every Duke Player Shines as Depth, Defense, and Ball Movement Fuel Blowout Victory
WEST POINT, N.Y. — On a brisk Tuesday night at Christl Arena, Duke basketball’s depth and unselfishness were on full display. All nine Blue Devils who logged double-digit minutes scored multiple field goals, fueling an offensive showcase that produced the program’s most points in seven years.
The No. 4 Blue Devils (3–0) steamrolled Army, 114–59, behind a balanced scoring attack, lights-out perimeter shooting, and a relentless second-half surge. It marked Duke’s highest scoring total since putting up 118 points against Kentucky in the 2018 season opener.
Sarr’s Breakout Performance Leads a Balanced Attack
Freshman guard Dame Sarr paced Duke with a career-best 19 points, an encouraging leap after totaling just 10 across his first two collegiate games. The Italian-born newcomer found his rhythm early, finishing 6-for-8 from the field and 3-for-5 from three-point range.
“I just let the game come to me tonight,” Sarr said afterward. “We’ve got so many weapons — if we move the ball, it finds the right guy.”
He wasn’t alone. Fellow freshman Isaiah Evans added 17 points and connected on four three-pointers, continuing his strong start to the season. Patrick Ngongba II provided interior balance with 16 points and nine rebounds, while Cameron Boozer nearly matched that line with 15 points and nine boards of his own.
Off the bench, Darren Harris added a spark, burying five of seven attempts from deep to also reach 15 points. Meanwhile, Cayden Boozer directed the offense masterfully, tallying 10 points and a game-high eight assists.
Remarkably, not a single Duke player reached 20 points, yet five finished in double figures and three others scored at least eight.
Ball Movement and Perimeter Precision
Duke’s offensive rhythm was a model of teamwork and spacing. The Blue Devils assisted on 25 of their 37 made field goals, consistently generating open looks through crisp ball movement and unselfish play.
Cayden Boozer led the way with eight assists, while Cameron Boozer, Ngongba, and sophomore guard Caleb Foster each contributed four.
The Blue Devils also caught fire from long range, hitting 16 of 37 three-pointers (43%). For perspective, Army (1–2) attempted even more threes — 49 total — but converted only 12 (24%). The Black Knights took just 19 shots from inside the arc, underscoring Duke’s defensive emphasis on forcing contested perimeter attempts.
Army’s Early Fight Fades Quickly
For much of the first half, Army hung tough. The Black Knights trailed just 35–26 after 16 minutes, fueled by a few well-timed threes and hustle plays. Duke appeared content to settle for jump shots early, allowing the home team to stay within striking distance.
That changed in the final four minutes of the first half. Duke closed on a 14–4 run to build a 49–30 halftime lead, seizing control for good.
When Army opened the second half with a quick three-pointer, the Blue Devils answered decisively — and emphatically. Duke strung together a 17–0 run to push its lead to 68–33, effectively ending any suspense. From there, the advantage ballooned steadily to the final 55-point margin, 114–59.
“Kill Shots” Define Duke’s Dominance
One stat that stood out from Duke’s explosive evening: the number of extended scoring bursts. The Blue Devils recorded four “kill shots” — defined by the coaching staff as runs of at least 10 consecutive points. They had two such runs in each half (12–0 and 11–0 in the first, 17–0 and 10–0 in the second).
That means for significant stretches, Duke outscored Army 50–0 — a testament to the team’s defensive intensity as much as its offensive firepower.
“Those runs are what we talk about in practice,” head coach Jon Scheyer said postgame. “It’s about stringing together stops, sharing the ball, and turning defense into easy offense. Tonight, we did that as well as we have all year.”
Army’s Effort Led by Furman
Despite the lopsided final score, Army’s Jackson Furman turned in a strong performance, scoring 20 points on 7-for-13 shooting, including 5-for-9 from beyond the arc in just 19 minutes. No other Black Knight reached double figures, as Duke’s length and pressure gradually wore down the hosts.
A Statement of Depth and Consistency
Through three games, Duke has now won by margins of 29, 27, and 55 points, outscoring opponents by a combined 167 points. That balance — both in scoring and in minutes — has been a defining feature of their early-season success.
Scheyer praised his team’s togetherness afterward. “We’ve got a lot of talented players, but what’s special is how willing they are to share the ball,” he said. “No one’s worried about who scores. When we play that way, we’re hard to guard.”
With upcoming matchups that will provide stiffer tests, Tuesday’s rout still offered valuable insight. The Blue Devils showcased their shooting, depth, and ability to respond after a slow start — qualities that could define their season.
Duke’s next challenge awaits at Cameron Indoor Stadium, but for now, the Blue Devils head home from West Point with confidence — and 114 reasons to feel good about where they’re headed.
