Duke Women Dominate SMU Behind Trio of Double-Doubles, Extend Win Streak to 14
DURHAM, N.C. - If there were any doubts about how locked in Duke is right now, Sunday afternoon at Cameron Indoor erased them in emphatic fashion. The 17th-ranked Blue Devils put together a wire-to-wire clinic, steamrolling SMU 95-36 behind a trio of double-doubles and a relentless two-way performance that showcased just how dangerous this team has become.
Arianna Roberson and Delaney Thomas were dominant in the paint, while Reigan Jackson orchestrated the offense with poise and precision. All three notched double-doubles as Duke extended its winning streak to 14 games and remained perfect in ACC play at 13-0.
Let’s break it down.
Balanced Brilliance Across the Board
The Blue Devils didn’t just win - they overwhelmed. From the opening tip, Duke imposed its will on both ends of the floor.
Roberson had the best game of her young career, pouring in 22 points and pulling down 16 rebounds, both career highs. She was a force inside, cleaning up the glass and finishing through contact with confidence.
Thomas added 16 points and 10 rebounds of her own, giving Duke a powerful one-two punch in the frontcourt. But it was Jackson who set the tone early and kept the offense humming.
The junior guard became the first Blue Devil since 2019 to record a points-assists double-double, finishing with 11 points and 10 assists. Her vision and timing kept Duke’s offense in rhythm all afternoon.
And then there was Toby Fournier. The freshman forward led all scorers with 26 points on a blistering 12-of-16 shooting performance.
She was everywhere - running the floor, finishing in transition, and flashing a soft touch around the rim. When Fournier is clicking like this, Duke’s offense goes to another level.
Fast Start, No Looking Back
Duke wasted no time taking control. After a couple of early turnovers, Jackson got the scoring started with a deep three off the glass, and from there, the Blue Devils hit the gas. An 8-0 run fueled by transition buckets gave Duke a 13-2 lead, and it only got uglier for SMU from there.
By the end of the first quarter, Duke led 24-6. They scored 16 of those points in the paint, with Jackson, Fournier, and Thomas combining for 22 of the 24. It was a physical, high-effort opening 10 minutes that set the tone for the rest of the game.
In the second quarter, the Blue Devils didn’t let up. They knocked down six of their first eight shots, and Fournier rattled off six straight points to push the lead to 37-10. Roberson took over from there, scoring nine points in the frame and grabbing four rebounds as Duke shot 53 percent in the quarter.
By halftime, Duke was up 48-13. SMU, meanwhile, was held to just 22 percent shooting and had no answer for Duke’s length, speed, and physicality.
Second-Half Surge Seals It
SMU tried to show some life out of the break, scoring five quick points to open the third. But any momentum was short-lived. Duke head coach Kara Lawson called timeout, and the Blue Devils responded with a 15-2 run that put the game completely out of reach.
Jordan Wood sparked the surge with a pair of threes, and Duke’s defense turned up the heat - forcing three turnovers in less than 90 seconds. That stretch pushed the lead to 62-25 and effectively ended any hopes of a Mustang comeback.
The third quarter ended with Duke on another run, this time 14-3, with Roberson and Fournier again leading the charge. The Blue Devils were relentless - flying around on defense, crashing the glass, and pushing the pace at every opportunity.
Even in the final minutes, with the outcome long decided, Duke kept the energy high. Thomas scored seven points down the stretch, and the defense clamped down one last time, holding SMU scoreless from the field over the final 5:23.
Stat Sheet Stuffed
- Arianna Roberson: 22 points, 16 rebounds (career highs)
- Delaney Thomas: 16 points, 10 rebounds
- Reigan Jackson: 11 points, 10 assists
- Toby Fournier: 26 points, 12-of-16 shooting
- Taina Mair: 9 assists, surpassing 600 for her career
Duke dominated the glass (29-12 in the first half alone), blocked eight shots, and held SMU to just 36 total points - their lowest output of the season. It was the Blue Devils’ largest margin of victory this year, a 59-point statement that this team is hitting its stride at the right time.
What’s Next
The Blue Devils now get a well-earned bye week before their next big test - a rivalry showdown with North Carolina at Cameron Indoor on February 15. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. on ABC.
If Duke keeps playing like this - with balance, energy, and execution - they’ll be tough to stop down the stretch.