Duke basketball uses offensive explosion in second half to defeat Wake Forest
![Feb 12, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Kyle Filipowski (30) shooots Feb 12, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Kyle Filipowski (30) shooots](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4200,h_2362,x_0,y_76/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/175/01hphnsc8szgzwdhqwz7.jpg)
It was the second consecutive game in which the Duke basketball team did not put its best performace together in the first half before looking like a new squad after halftime.
It happened on Saturday against Boston College and again on Monday night against Wake Forest, but the key factor in the turnaround remained the same -- Mark Mitchell.
Mitchell had seven points at halftime on 3-of-7 shooting and took over the game in the second half with 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting, finishing with 23 points, tying a career-high.
The Blue Devils shot 35.5-percent (11-of-31) from the floor in the first half and 3-of-14 (21.4-percent) from 3-point range before connecting on 62.5-percent (15-of-24) of its attempts after halftime, including 4-of-11 (36.4-percent) from distance.
Duke (19-5, 10-3 ACC) was also much more aggressive and efficient getting to the free throw line in the second half, making 14-of-17 attempts, compared to only 4-of-8 in the first half.
Kyle Filipowski helped Mitchell in the second half explosion and was much more disciplined in his shot selection. The All-American candidate finished the 77-69 victory with 21 points, 11 in the second half, and only attempted two 3-pointers, missing both, after halftime following a 1-for-4 showing before the break.
Wake Forest (16-8, 8-5 ACC) never led in the game after missing its first 11 attempts from 3-point range to begin the game, shooting 6-of-26 (23.1-percent) from beyond the arc.
Sophomore point guard Tyrese Proctor did not score in nearly 26 minutes played, missing all five of his shot attempts.
The victory caps off a sweep for the Blue Devils in its 3-game home stand as they embark on a 3-game road trip this weekend, with two games coming in the state of Florida, which is capped off by a rematch with the Demon Deacons next Saturday.
No. 9 Duke will play Florida State (13-10, 7-5 ACC) on Saturday (2:00 p.m. ET, ESPN).