The Duke women's basketball team showcased their dominance with an impressive 81-64 victory over the College of Charleston, kicking off the game at the unusual hour of 11:30 A.M. It was breakfast at Cameron Indoor Stadium, and the Blue Devils were hungry for a win.
Duke's size advantage was evident, though Charleston's Grace Ezebilo, standing at 6-1, made her presence felt with 15 rebounds. However, Duke's strategy to pound the ball inside paid off, setting the tone early.
All-American Toby Fournier quickly made an impact, scoring nine points in just over two minutes, pushing Duke to an 11-5 lead. Fournier's dominance in the post was clear as she exploited her matchup against Charleston's smaller lineup. "For me, this game was a post-up game," Fournier explained, emphasizing her focus on capitalizing on her size advantage.
Charleston briefly took the lead with a 7-0 run, but Duke responded with back-to-back three-pointers from Jordan Wood and Ashlon Jackson, regaining control and never looking back. By the end of the first quarter, Duke was up 25-16.
Wood, coming off the bench, was a revelation, hitting all five of her three-point attempts and playing over 28 minutes. Coach Kara Lawson praised her defensive contributions, noting Wood's ability to alter shots with her 6-4 frame.
Duke continued to extend their lead, heading into halftime at 45-26 and maintaining a comfortable 66-41 advantage after three quarters. Lawson, mindful of the upcoming game against Baylor, strategically managed player minutes to keep the team fresh.
Despite the win, Lawson highlighted areas for improvement, pointing out Charleston's success at the free-throw line and Duke's 20 turnovers. "We had quite a few not play well today," Lawson remarked, emphasizing the need for adjustments.
Fournier led the charge with 24 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks in just 24 minutes. Delaney Thomas added 19 points and nine rebounds, while Wood contributed 17 points off the bench. Ashlon Jackson, though struggling with her shot, dished out nine assists with just one turnover.
On the other hand, Taina Mair's performance was a mixed bag. While she had eight assists and six rebounds, her eight turnovers and four fouls were concerning. Riley Nelson, in her NCAA Tournament debut, had a tough outing, missing all her field goal attempts but converting four free throws.
Charleston's Taryn Barbot was a standout, scoring 36 points in a unique stat line, including 14 of 16 from the free-throw line, often tying up Duke's defense.
Duke's ball movement was a highlight, with 25 assists on 29 made field goals, though the turnovers were a blemish. "Something we need to prepare for a little bit more for the next game," Fournier noted.
Looking ahead, Duke faces Baylor, a team they previously played without Ari Roberson. Her presence could be crucial in addressing Baylor's rebounding prowess.
Baylor's recent comeback against Nebraska, fueled by intense defensive pressure, serves as a reminder of the challenge ahead. The Blue Devils will need to be ready for a battle on the boards and beyond.