Duke Cruises In Home Opener

Duke moved to 2-0 on the season with a win over Colorado State in its home opener, 89-55.

The Blue Devils built a small early lead, but Colorado State was able to keep it close at the free throw line, shooting 10 of the first 11 free throws of the game.

"We fouled a lot in the first half," coach Mike Krzyzewski said.

Krzyzewski tried several different lineups in the game before finding one that clicked shortly before the half. Seniors Jack White and Javin DeLaurier joined starters Tre Jones, Cassius Stanley and Alex O'Connell and triggered a 7-0 run to close the half.

Duke then stuck with the lineup to start the second half and outscored Colorado State 6-2 to balloon the lead to 20.

"We’re going to play a lot of guys and see what works," Krzyzewski said. "That group at the end of the half really played the best eight minutes of the game, or the last four minutes of the first half and first four minutes of the second half. Jack, Javin, Alex, Cassius, and Tre just found a rhythm defensively and offensively and boom we had it."

Stanley led Duke with 19 points and seven rebounds. Jones had 15 points and a game-high eight assists. Alex O'Connell also had 14 and Vernon Carey Jr. 11 for the Blue Devils.

Duke shot just over 35 percent in the season-opening win over Kansas but improved to 53.5 percent against the Rams.

Duke also improved its rebounding. After losing the battle of the boards by 10 to the Jayhawks, Duke outrebounded Colorado State by nine.

Wendell Moore, who struggled to 1-of-6 shooting in the opener, bounced back with a 5-of-6 night to score 10.

"Wendell showed some stuff tonight that he can build on," Krzyzewski said.

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