ACC , Duke MBB

Duke Dominates Belmont 102-62: How The game unfolded

Duke returned to Cameron Indoor Stadium for the first time in seven months and routed Belmont, coached by former Blue Devils assistant Evan Bradds, behind strong defense, rebounding and a freshman who played up to the hype.

The headline moments

Late in the first half, Jon Scheyer drew up a play out of a huddle with 13 seconds left for the youngest player on the floor, 17-year-old Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje, who drove to the rim. Senior guard John Blackwell, a new starter, then knocked the ball away on defense and hit a buzzer-beating corner three. That capped a 10-point run to end the half.

Team numbers

  • Three-point shooting: Duke hit 44% while Belmont managed 23%.
  • Paint points: Duke won 44-20.
  • Offensive rebounds: the Blue Devils collected 17.
  • Assists: eight Duke players recorded one.
  • Depth: 11 players saw the court.

Scheyer said Belmont tested his team with its movement and cutting, and that the game helped him get to know his group better.

How the game unfolded

The Blue Devils’ size was on display from the start, with a roster featuring three 7-footers. Blackwell, a Wisconsin transfer, drew the first big roar from the Cameron Crazies on a tough layup, and Boumtje Boumtje followed with a basket inside.

Dame Sarr missed his first three but then connected on a corner shot. Boumtje Boumtje and Cayden Boozer each hit threes as well.

On defense:

  • Patrick Ngongba II blocked a Belmont forward to stop a fast break.
  • Freshman Deron Rippey Jr. drew an offensive foul in his Durham debut.
  • Duke forced multiple shot-clock violations.

Scheyer said he liked the effort and mindset, which he called the foundation of good defense.

Belmont did hit a deep shot as the shot clock expired, trimming the deficit to seven for a moment and quieting the crowd, but Duke’s defensive identity held.

Standout performers

Boumtje Boumtje scored 14 points with five rebounds in the first half alone, dominating as advertised.

Dame Sarr finished with 19 points, six rebounds and three steals, including two and-ones. Bradds praised him heavily, saying Sarr chased screens and neutralized them, and that he is likely one of the best on-ball defenders Belmont will face all year.

Freshman forward Cameron Williams blocked Belmont’s Isiah West soon after entering and later threw down a two-handed dunk. Sebastian Wilkins added an acrobatic finish. The bench impressed overall.

Second-half highlights

Duke opened the second half the same way, with energy:

  • Ngongba set up Boumtje Boumtje for a dunk with an over-under pass.
  • Ngongba then caught a half-court heave from Sarr and slammed it over two defenders.
  • Scheyer experimented with a full-court press. After Boozer hit a three, he forced a turnover and finished a dunk, giving Duke its first 30-point lead.

Injuries and notes

Caleb Foster (ankle) and Drew Scharnowski (knee, a former Belmont player) sat on the bench. Cameron welcomed Bradds warmly despite the on-court intensity.

What Scheyer said about the rotation

The coach said the group on the floor started well but the team is still searching for combinations. On the starting lineup, he said it is all open: “In terms of starting minutes, it’s all up for grabs.”

Takeaways

  1. Size and defense are the identity. Duke dominated the paint and the glass.
  2. Boumtje Boumtje looks ready. His early college play lived up to his billing.
  3. Depth is a strength. Eleven players played, and the bench contributed.
  4. The rotation is unsettled, with Foster and Scharnowski still to return.

Next up: Duke hosts Tennessee on October 20 at 7 p.m. in Cameron Indoor.