Duke Basketball: Blue Devils, Cavaliers in Top-5 battle at Cameron

The first 20 minutes are over in Cameron Indoor Stadium as the Duke Basketball team is up against the Virginia Cavaliers in a Top-5 matchup.

Tre Jones was officially ruled as inactive about 30 minutes before tipoff after sustaining a shoulder injury in Monday’s game against the Syracuse Orange, but Jones missing from the starting lineup was not the only change.

Mike Krzyzewski opted to start R.J. Barrett, Cam Reddish, Jack White, Zion Williamson, and Marques Bolden who started for Javin DeLaurier.

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The story of the first half was offensive rebounds for the Blue Devils. After the first 20 minutes, Duke has nine offensive boards, led by Jack White, Zion Williamson, and Marques Bolden all with two.

In terms of scoring, Duke was led by Zion Williamson and R.J. Barrett with 14 points. Williamson also had three rebounds. R.J. Barrett struggled from the field, on just five of twelve shooting, and one of five from 3-point range, as the Blue Devils lead Virginia 37-32 at halftime.

Cam Reddish made his return today after missing the game on Monday with flu like symptoms, but he was able to make his presence known with seven points, making three of eight from the field, and one of three from 3-point range.

The only other Blue Devil to score in the opening half was Jack White on a put back dunk on a Williamson missed 3-pointer.

Virginia was led by 11 points from De’Andre Hunter and nine points from Kyle Guy.

In the second half, the Blue Devils must be able to continue to push the tempo and get out in transition for easy buckets to beat this tough Virginia defense down the floor.

The only Blue Devils in foul trouble are Javin DeLaurier and Marques Bolden who both picked up two fouls in the first half.

Stay tuned to Ball Durham on Twitter, @Ball_Durham, and here at our website, balldurham.com, for complete coverage of the Duke Blue Devils vs. the Virginia Cavaliers.

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