WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Duke once again owns a winning record and the Blue Devils posted an emphatic victory to get there.
In a game that saw Wake Forest coach Steve Forbes pick up two first-half technical fouls and an ejection, Matthew Hurt poured in 22 points as the Blue Devils blasted Wake Forest, 84-60, in ACC basketball at Joel Coliseum.
Having fallen below the .500 mark for the first time since November 1999 with three consecutive losses earlier this month, Duke (9-8, 7-6 ACC) won its second game in a row with a dominating performance against the Demon Deacons (6-10, 3-10 ACC).
With strong shooting and solid defense, Duke led 36-22 with 3:18 remaining in the first half when Forbes picked up two technical fouls.
With Duke shooting at the basket near the Wake bench, Blue Devils freshman Jaemyn Brakefield drove through the lane but missed a dunk attempt. The officials whistled to stop play and Forbes was called for his first technical. With his face red as he yelled through his mask, Forbes came on the court to continue arguing with official Tony Henderson, who signaled for the second technical foul and kicked Forbes out of the game.
Assistant coach Brooks Savage took over as acting coach for the remainder of the game, but Duke led 45-26 and pushed its lead as large as 29 points in the second half.
The Blue Devils shot 33 of 61 (54.1%), including 11 of 25 3-pointers (44%) to post the easy win. Hurt topped the 20-point mark for the second game in a row with another scintillating shooting performance. He made 8 of 9 shots from the field, including 3 of 4 3-pointers.
His big night came on the heels of a 24-point game Saturday when Duke beat N.C. State, 69-53. Hurt made 8 of 10 shots against the Wolfpack, including 6 of 7 3-pointers.
DJ Steward added 16 points for Duke against Wake Forest while Joey Baker (12 points) and Wendell Moore (11 points) also reached double figures.
Wake Forest shot 39.2%, while making just 7 of 25 3-pointers (28%).
