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Duke Basketball: Blue Devils roll North Dakota State after slow first half

By Kevin Connelly

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 22: The Duke Blue Devils bench celebrates their teams lead against the North Dakota State Bison in the second half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 22: The Duke Blue Devils bench celebrates their teams lead against the North Dakota State Bison in the second half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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The Duke Basketball team was able to defeat the North Dakota State Bison 85-62 in the Round of 64 in the NCAA Tournament.

After a very slow and uninspiring first half, the Duke Blue Devils only led by four points at halftime, but the Blue Devils were able to put together a classic second half run to defeat the North Dakota State Bison.

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As usual, R.J. Barrett and Zion Williamson led the way for the Blue Devils.

Barrett finished with 26 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, and a steal on 9-of-18 shooting, two of four from 3-point range, and six of nine from the free throw line.

In his home state of South Carolina, Williamson led the initial charge in the second half, finishing with 25 points. However, Zion was very quiet on the backboards with just three rebounds. He was also quiet in other facets of the game with no assists and just one block in the opening seconds and one steal.

The Blue Devils outscored the Bison 54-35 in the second half on Friday’s game.

Cam Reddish was able to chip in 12 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block.

Tre Jones was quiet offensively, but he was still able to create with five points, three rebounds, four assists, and a steal.

In his return to the lineup, Marques Bolden had two points, three rebounds, two assists, and a block.

As Coach K emptied the bench, he inserted Joey Baker into the game, and the freshman who once was going to redshirt this season, scored his first points as a Blue Devil with a 3-pointer. Baker finished with those three points as well as two rebounds.

Duke will play the winner of the UCF vs. VCU game that is taking place right now. Duke’s Round of 32 game will take place on Sunday, but the time has yet to be announced.

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