Duke Dominates Howard in 93-56 Victory
Duke University’s basketball team had a standout performance against Howard, winning 93-56 on November 23. The Blue Devils started strong, scoring an impressive 52 points in the first half while holding Howard to just 18. This marked Duke’s best shooting night of the season, going 36-of-59 for a remarkable 61% shooting percentage.
Cameron Boozer was the star of the night, scoring 26 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. His shooting was sharp, hitting 10 of 12 attempts. He also contributed four assists and two steals. Patrick Ngongba II added 16 points on 8-of-9 shooting, showcasing his consistency with three straight games in double figures. Isaiah Evans chipped in 11 points, thrilling the audience with three spectacular dunks.
The game quickly turned in Duke’s favor. The team came out with energy, with Ngongba kicking things off with an alley-oop. Just moments later, Evans took it to the rim, prompting Howard coach Kenny Blakeney to call a timeout only a minute and a half into the game.
Duke built a 21-point lead before halftime, largely due to a nine-point run capped by Boozer. The Blue Devils wrapped up the first half with a commanding 52-18 lead, continuing their dominance into the second half.
Despite Howard’s efforts, Duke maintained control. The Blue Devils were relentless, pushing their lead to 50 points at one stage. Even when Howard made a late surge, Duke quickly quashed it and closed out the game decisively.
Interesting Stats and Trends
- This win signifies coach Jon Scheyer’s 96th victory with Duke, contributing to a home winning streak of 21 games.
- Duke’s impressive performance on the boards continued, winning the rebounding battle 43-26.
- The Blue Devils excelled in several categories, leading in points off turnovers, points in the paint, second-chance points, and fast-break opportunities.
Duke’s defense was also noteworthy. They held Howard, a team averaging 75.3 points per game, to just 56 points—marking the fourth opponent this season to score under 60 against them.
Boozer’s performance highlights his potential. He registered his fourth double-double of the season, showing a strong all-around game. Ngongba’s recent shooting form is another bright spot; he is 15-of-16 in the last three games.
Looking Ahead
Duke’s next challenge is against No. 21 Arkansas in the CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic on November 27. As they build on this victory, the anticipation grows for how the Blue Devils will fare against a ranked opponent.
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