TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Jared McCain set a Duke freshman record with eight three-pointers, scoring 35 total points to help pace No. 9 Duke in a 76-67 victory at Florida State on Saturday afternoon. McCain’s 35 points matched the Duke freshman scoring record, joining Zion Williamson, who scored 35 versus Syracuse on Jan. 14, 2019.
Jeremy Roach also logged a double-digit scoring performance, pouring in 17 points and dishing a team-high four assists. The Blue Devils’ rebounding efforts were led by Kyle Filipowski, who reeled in eight caroms.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Jared McCain sank a three-pointer to open Duke’s scoring on its second possession of the game and connected on a pull-up jumper shortly after to give the freshman five early points. Mark Mitchell added three points, but Duke trailed, 14-8, at the first media timeout.
- Jeremy Roach and McCain each made three-pointers to help Duke draw level, 16-16, with 13:35 on the clock. Two more shots from distance from McCain made it an 11-point burst spanning just over three minutes of play. A three-point-play from Jaylen Blakes pushed Duke’s advantage to seven, 27-20, with nine minutes remaining before halftime.
- McCain remained hot from beyond the arc, drilling two more to give the guard a new career-high with six made three-pointers. Florida State used a 5-of-7 stretch from the field to draw within four, 37-33, at the final media timeout of the first half.
- Duke held the Seminoles without a made field goal for over four minutes to close out the opening 20 minutes of play. McCain capped off a 25-point first-half performance with his seventh three-pointer of the afternoon at the buzzer and sent the Blue Devils into the locker room up by 10, 44-34.
- The two teams traded baskets to start the second half and Duke remained ahead, 50-43, at the first media timeout of the second frame. A dunk from Kyle Filipowski put Duke back up by 10, 53-43, at the 13:30 mark. A five-point possession by McCain, via two technical free throws and a three-pointer, gave him 31 points and a new freshman record for made three-pointers in a game.
- Roach moved into double-figures with a three-pointer of his own, giving the senior 12 points and Duke a 67-57 advantage. Duke’s defense did not allow Florida State to get closer than eight points the remainder of the contest and Roach made five free throws in the final minute to help Duke secure the 76-67 victory.
NOTES
- The win on Saturday afternoon secured Duke’s 58th 20-win season and 27th consecutive campaign with at least 20 triumphs (not including the COVID season).
- Saturday was Duke’s 100th game when playing as the No. 9 team in the country. The Blue Devils are now 79-21 in such games.
- Duke’s defense held Florida State to 67 points, 9.5 points below its season average of 76.5. The Blue Devils have held 22 of their 25 opponents to below their respective scoring average.
- Duke won the rebounding battle, 36-27, including a 15-7 edge on the offensive glass. The Blue Devils are now 15-0 when out-rebounding their opponent.
- The Blue Devils were 10-of-16 (.625) from beyond the arc, their best performance by percentage this season from deep.
- Duke held the lead (44-34) at halftime, the 18th such occurrence this season. The Blue Devils are now 18-0 in those games.
- Duke has now connected on at least one 3-pointer in 1,214 straight games, the second-longest streak nationally.
- The Blue Devils improve their series advantage over Florida State to 44-11, including eight of the last nine meetings and 12 of the past 14.
- Jared McCain scored 35 points on 12-of-20 (.600) shooting – including making eight straight shots to start the game – and went 8-of-11 (.727) from beyond the arc.
- McCain set a new Duke freshman record for made 3-pointers (8), surpassing Cam Reddish, who made seven versus Army West Points on Nov. 11, 2018.
- McCain’s 35 total points matched Zion Williamson (Jan. 14, 2019 vs. Syracuse) for most points scored by a freshman in program history, and represents the most points scored by a freshman in a road game.
- McCain’s 35 points are the sixth most points scored by a freshman in ACC history.
- McCain has made at least three 3-pointers in 10 games. Duke is now 9-1 in those games.
- Jeremy Roach also finished in double-figures, scoring 17 points, while also dishing a team-high four assists.
- When Roach leads the team in assists, Duke is now 25-9 all-time.
QUOTES
- “This was a great step for our team. To be able to get this win without Tyrese [Proctor], who is clearly a key part to this team, has been from the beginning of the year – a lot of guys stepped up. I know we’re going to talk a lot about Jared [McCain], as we should, but I thought Jaylen Blakes and Sean Stewart, the minutes they gave us – it’s not going to show up in a box score but it came at critical times. Florida State just keeps coming at you. The minutes they played, I just thought was huge. Sean, in the second half, what he did. He got a few loose balls, those were critical. Caleb Foster, for a freshman to handle the ball for 34 minutes and have three assists and one turnover, again you’re not going to necessarily see it in the box score but it was key to the win today what those three guys did.” – head coach Jon Scheyer
- “Every single game I feel like I can come out and make every shot. It’s just the confidence I have in myself and my work ethic. When I saw the first one go in, I’m just going to keep shooting. And they happened to go in. As a shooter, your confidence stays up, even if you miss or you make, so I’m going to keep shooting. And they happened to go in today.” – Duke freshman Jared McCain
UP NEXT
- No. 9 Duke (20-5, 11-3 ACC) remains on the road for its next game, battling Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, on Feb. 21. The Blue Devils and Hurricanes tip off at 7 p.m., on ESPN.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils men’s basketball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching “DukeMBB”.
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu
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