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Duke Basketball: Blue Devils eyeing Sweet 16 bid against UCF

By Kevin Connelly

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 24: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils looks for the ball against Collin Smith #35 of the UCF Knights during the first half in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 24, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 24: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils looks for the ball against Collin Smith #35 of the UCF Knights during the first half in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 24, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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The Duke Basketball team is looking for a bid into the Sweet 16 against a familiar face in Johnny Dawkins and his UCF Knights.

After a win in the Round of 64 against North Dakota State, Mike Krzyzewski went with the same starting five in Tre Jones, Cam Reddish, R.J. Barrett, Zion Williamson, and Javin DeLaurier.

The biggest question coming into the game was how Duke would handle the 7-foot-6-inch monster on UCF, Tacko Fall.

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Duke’s first four shots were all 3-pointers, however, the Blue Devils made two of its attempt with makes coming from Zion Williamson and Cam Reddish.

The Blue Devils lead UCF 44-36 at halftime.

Cam Reddish had his 3-point shot working, making four of his six attempts, with two of them coming from 3-point range, as he went for 10 points in addition to two rebounds and two assists.

Zion Williamson finished the first 20 minutes with 15 points, four rebounds, three assists, and a steal.

R.J. Barrett had 11 points, four rebounds, four assists, and a steal, while shooting four of seven from the floor and two of three from 3-point range.

Tacko Fall was in foul trouble for a majority of the first half, but despite his two fouls, he still finished the half with, seven points, three rebounds, and a block.

However, the star of the first half for UCF was Aubrey Dawkins, Johnny Dawkins son. Aubrey had 18 points, a rebound, two assists, and three steals on six of eight shooting and three of four from the 3-point range.

In the second half, Duke will need another classic second half run to pull away from UCF. The Blue Devils defense needs to step up a notch like it did at the end of the first half, specifically on Aubrey Dawkins.

Tacko Fall will be tough to handle regardless, but trying to get him into more foul trouble should be a priority.

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 University of Central Florida Knights.

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