After coming off one of its worst defensive performances of the season at N.C. State, Duke wanted to make a statement in its next game.
On Wednesday it did just that. The Blue Devils raced out to a 10-0 lead over Pittsburgh through the game's first four minutes, and kept their foot on the gas pedal.
By halftime, they led by 26. The second half was more competitive, but Duke still won, 87-52. It was the Blue Devils' first road win in conference play this season. On Dec. 9, Duke lost to Boston College, 89-84, in Boston, and lost to N.C. State this past Saturday in Raleigh, 96-85.
Defense was a factor in both of those games.
But not on Wednesday night. Through the first 20 minutes of the game, No. 7 Duke (14-2, 2-2 ACC) forced 11 turnovers, and Pitt (8-9, 0-4 ACC) shot 37.5 percent from the floor. Pitt's 24 first-half points, was the second fewest points that Duke has given up at halftime. The fewest was 18 points against Evansville.
Duke's players were more animated than usual. They yelled when they made a defensive stop. And after one offensive possession early in the game, the players slapped the floor, a staple for some of Duke's best defensive teams.
The Panthers rank at the bottom of the ACC. They are the only team without a conference win.
Duke's starting lineup is young. It starts four freshmen and one senior. Pitt was even younger. Pitt started five freshmen for the third straight game.
Its best player, Ryan Luther, a 6-9, 225-pound senior forward, was out for the third game in a row with a foot injury.
Duke was also dealing with injuries. Its two top reserves, sophomore center Marques Bolden and sophomore forward Javin DeLaurier sat out Wednesday's game. DeLaurier has a tight hamstring, an injury he has been dealing with for the majority of the season, and Bolden has a MCL sprain, one he sustained in a recent practice.
Still, the show had to go on.
Duke opened up the first half with an alley-oop dunk from freshman point guard Trevon Duval to freshman forward Wendell Carter Jr. It looked as if they might continue to run away with the game, but Pitt battled.
They double-teamed freshman forward Marvin Bagley III and Carter any time they touched the ball in the post.
Pitt reduced the lead to 17 points but never got closer than that.
Bagley finished with 16 points (7 for 16) and 15 rebounds. It was his 13th double-double of the season, which is tied for second in the country. Allen who had struggled shooting in Duke's previous three conference games, struggled again from the field. He finished with 11 points and was 4 for 12 from the floor. He was 2 for 9 from behind the 3-point line.
Duval and freshman guard Gary Trent Jr. 14 points each.
