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Blue Devil Country

Former Duke Basketball Sniper Ties Season-High, Snaps Losing Streak

Duke basketball product Gary Trent Jr. helped snap his squad’s 15-game losing streak with a season-high 31-point performance.
Matt Giles|
Former Duke basketball guard Gary Trent Jr.
Former Duke basketball guard Gary Trent Jr. | John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

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The month of March was not kind to the Toronto Raptors. They finished just 1-14 and ended the month on a 13-game losing streak, adding two more to losses in the first week of April. But former Duke basketball guard Gary Trent Jr. did his best to turn things around in his first appearance this month.

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Facing one of the league’s top teams on the road, Trent tied his season-high with 31 points to help the struggling Raptors (24-53) snap their 15-game losing streak and knock off the Eastern Conference No. 2 seed in the Milwaukee Bucks (47-30), 117-111, on Friday night.

The 25-year-old added five rebounds, three assists, and two steals in his 37 minutes of playing time while shooting an efficient 11-for-22 from the field and 7-for-15 from downtown.

It marked Trent's 12th straight double-digit scoring output, as the 2018 second-round pick has been a consistent performer despite his team’s struggles. Friday’s 31-point outing is the third time he’s reached that mark in the past month, and it's the fourth time he’s eclipsed the 30-point threshold since the beginning of March.

RJ Barrett, Trent's Toronto teammate and another former Duke basketball standout, also had a productive outing for the Raptors. He finished with 26 points, nabbing seven rebounds and dishing two assists while also tallying a block and two steals in his 34 minutes on the floor. 

The 6-foot-5 Trent has been experiencing a somewhat down season in Toronto, especially in the early going, but his string of recent performances has him trending upwards as the Raptors try to finish out the season strong. 

In 67 contests this season, he’s averaging 13.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. His 3-point percentage has also eclipsed the 40 percent mark on the season for the first time since his 2019-20 campaign. 

Gary Trent Jr., RJ Barrett, and the rest of the Raptors will return to Toronto to welcome the Washington Wizards at 6 p.m. ET Sunday. 

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI for more updates on NBA Blue Devils and other Duke basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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