Duke Dominates Wake Forest with Relentless Defense, Balanced Attack in 80-44 Blowout
DURHAM, N.C. - From the opening tip, Duke’s defense made one thing clear: Wake Forest wasn’t going to find anything easy at Cameron Indoor. The 20th-ranked Blue Devils put on a clinic Sunday afternoon, forcing a season-high 31 turnovers and riding a wave of balanced scoring to an 80-44 win in ACC play.
It was a statement performance from a team that’s now 11-0 in conference action and 16-6 overall - and one that showcased just how deep and disruptive this Duke squad can be.
Nelson Leads the Charge
Duke’s redshirt sophomore set the tone early and never let up, finishing with a game-high 16 points, five rebounds, and five assists. She was the engine behind Duke’s offensive rhythm, pushing the pace in transition and picking her spots in the halfcourt. When she had the ball, good things happened - whether it was a smooth finish at the rim or a perfectly timed dish to a cutting teammate.
Double Trouble on the Glass
The Blue Devils got a big lift from their frontcourt, where Arianna Roberson and Toby Fournier each notched double-doubles. Roberson tallied 12 points and 11 rebounds - her second career double-double - while Fournier posted 14 points and 11 boards for her second straight. Both were active on the glass and assertive in the paint, giving Duke second-chance opportunities and controlling the interior on both ends.
Defense Turns the Tide
But the real story was the defense. Duke’s press and halfcourt pressure overwhelmed Wake Forest from the jump, holding the Demon Deacons scoreless for the first four minutes and change. By the time Wake got on the board, Duke had already built an 8-0 lead and was just getting started.
Delaney Thomas was everywhere on the defensive end. The freshman forward racked up a career-best eight steals - tied for seventh-most in a single game in Duke history - and added 11 points and eight rebounds for good measure. Her activity helped fuel a season-best 19 steals for the Blue Devils, who turned those takeaways into 33 points on the other end.
In the second quarter alone, Duke held Wake Forest to just two points while forcing 11 turnovers. That stretch essentially broke the game open, as the Blue Devils surged to a 42-10 halftime lead with seven different players getting on the scoresheet.
Crisp Ball Movement, Hot Shooting
Duke’s offense was humming, too. The Blue Devils shot 50 percent from the field in the first half and recorded 11 assists on 17 made baskets. It was unselfish, efficient basketball - the kind that’s tough to stop when paired with a defense this aggressive.
Nelson kept the momentum rolling in the third quarter, scoring eight points and handing out two assists. Roberson added four more points and three rebounds as Duke pushed its lead to 65-24 heading into the final frame.
Wake Forest Shows Fight Late
To their credit, Wake Forest didn’t fold. The Demon Deacons outscored Duke 10-8 in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, showing some late-game grit. Milan Brown led the way with 13 points, while Caitlyn Jones added 10.
But it was too little, too late. Back-to-back buckets from Thomas and Roberson helped Duke steady the ship and close out the game with an exclamation point.
What’s Next
With this win, Duke remains unbeaten in ACC play and heads into a marquee showdown with No. 7 Louisville on February 5. That one’s circled on the calendar - a true top-20 clash with major implications in the conference race.
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at the KFC Yum! Center. If Duke brings this level of defensive intensity and offensive balance to Louisville, we’re in for a must-watch matchup.