Nov. 28, 2008
Box Score
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) -Lance Thomas scored a career-high 21 points to help No. 7 Duke defeat Duquesne 95-72 on Friday.
Thomas, the first big man off coach Mike Krzyzewski's deep bench, had 12 of his points in the decisive first half and made all eight of his shots in helping the Blue Devils (7-0) shoot a season-high 54.7 percent.
Kyle Singler had 17 points, Nolan Smith added 11, and Duke - which hadn't shot better than 48.5 percent in any game so far - scored 31 points off 19 Duquesne turnovers.
The Blue Devils never trailed, led by 10 midway through the first half, pushed it to 20 by the break and 30 shortly after halftime in cruising to their 64th straight nonconference win at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Duke has won its five home games by an average of 24 points.
The Blue Devils will have to wait a few weeks before they can go for No. 65. After a road trip through Big Ten country to face No. 10 Purdue and Michigan, they're off for final exams before hosting UNC Asheville on Dec. 17.
Damian Saunders finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds, and Aaron Jackson - the Dukes' lone senior - had 14 points. Duquesne (4-1) was denied its first win over a ranked team since 1997.
The young Dukes entered with three freshmen and three sophomores in the eight-man rotation, and a perfect record that was perhaps deceptive - the previous four opponents were a combined 3-14.
The Blue Devils effectively ended this one by halftime, taking control with a 23-6 run that pushed their lead into double figures to stay. They limited Duquesne to two field goals in roughly 9 minutes, and during one stretch came away with points on 10 of 11 trips downcourt - a big reason why Duke shot 60 percent in the first half.
Saunders had 10 of his points in the half, but was the only Duquesne player to score in the opening 10 minutes.
