DURHAM, N.C. — In an impressive performance, Toby Fournier led the way with 22 points, and Oluchi Okananwa contributed 13 as No. 11 Duke triumphed over Syracuse with a score of 80-49 on Sunday.
Both Fournier and Okananwa made significant impacts off the bench, helping the Blue Devils net a total of 39 points from their substitute players. Among the starting squad, Delaney Thomas contributed 12 points, Reigan Richardson added 11, and Ashlon Jackson tallied 10.
Duke (21-7, 12-4 ACC) showcased their defensive prowess by forcing 23 turnovers from Syracuse, resulting in 14 steals and a significant 26-4 edge in points scored off turnovers.
The Blue Devils established a solid lead, heading into halftime with a score of 41-19. They further extended their advantage with a commanding 10-0 run, pushing the score to 60-30 by the end of the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Thomas scored six consecutive points, while Richardson contributed with a three-point play, bringing Duke’s lead to 69-35 with seven minutes left in the game. The margin swelled to as much as 36 points when Fournier scored a layup in the final minute.
Syracuse, struggling throughout the game, relied on Georgia Woolley who scored 14 points, while Sophie Burrows added 13. Unfortunately, none of the other starters secured more than four points.
Duke’s momentum began with a 9-0 run in the first quarter that turned a deficit into a 13-6 lead. By the end of the first quarter, they were ahead 20-13, and a dominant 16-2 run in the second quarter resulted in a 22-point cushion at halftime.
As the regular season winds down, Duke finds itself tied for fourth place with Louisville, following Louisville’s loss to No. 9 North Carolina on the same day. Duke will host North Carolina on Thursday and then travel to face Florida State on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Syracuse will conclude their regular season with home matchups against Pitt on Thursday and Boston College on Sunday.
