DURHAM, N.C. _ For the second straight game on Monday night, Duke started slow. Last time, it was because it turned the ball over too many times. This time, because its opponents, Furman made most of its shots.
But like its previous game, Duke strung together a few defensive stops and went on a run mid-way through the first half, giving them enough cushion to stay ahead for good. Duke would win 92-63 in its first game of the Phil Knight Invitational (PK-80).
The Blue Devils will continue the PK-80 on the road, traveling west to take on Portland State, Thursday on Thanksgiving Day.
Monday's game was interesting from the start.
A little more than an hour before tip off, a fire alarm on the second floor of a men's restroom went off. Everyone in the building was forced to evacuate, and the game was delayed for 15 minutes.
The Blue Devils were delayed in its start too. After 8 minutes of play, No. 1 Duke (5-0) trailed Furman (2-2) 16-15.
The Paladins started the game 5-for-6 from the floor. But Duke soon slowed them down.
Duke forced four turnovers over the next 5 { minutes and went on a 17-4 run. During that stretch freshman forward Marvin Bagley III went off, offensively and defensively. He scored 11 points, blocked a shot, stole the ball, picked up 2 assists, and even accidentally tipped in one basket for the other team.
On one play, he received the ball in the post, spun on the defender and dunked it. The crowd went wild.
Bagley led all scorers with 24 points. He also grabbed 8 rebounds
Duke didn't let up in the second half. It only increased its lead. The Blue Devils were just more athletic and bigger than the Paladins. As a team, Duke shot 61 percent from the floor, its best shooting performance of the season. Furman shot 39 percent from the floor.
Freshman point guard Trevon Duval scored 18 points, and was 9-for-12 from the floor. Wendell Carter Jr. had 14 points and 9 rebounds.
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