Duke blasts overmatched Pacific

As Caitlin Howe’s three-pointer fell just short of the hoop and began to travel toward the Duke Band, Monique Currie sprung past her defender and skillfully redirected the ball toward Wanisha Smith. Currie then received the ball, set her eyes on the rim and released a three-pointer, which ripped through the net to put the Blue Devils up 16-9.

This play would spell the end of any chance for Pacific (2-2), which had managed to hang around for the first five minutes. Currie’s three contributed to a 20-3 Duke run to conclude the first half.

The run put away Pacific as Duke went on to win 86-30. The Blue Devils will enter the exam break with a record of 7-1, including three wins over top-25 teams.

Currie finished the game with 18 points and eight rebounds, shooting 60 percent from behind the arc. Duke’s 56- point margin of victory Saturday was its biggest of the season, and the contest was the fourth consecutive game in which the Blue Devils held their opponent to less than 30-percent shooting.

The second half of the game was dominated by the freshman trifecta of Laura Kurz, Chante Black and Smith. Kurz finished the game with a team-high 20 points, shooting 8-for-10 from the floor. Smith had 7 assists and shot 5-for-6 from the line. Black combined with sophomore Alison Bales for nine blocks.

“I feel very comfortable with them out on the court,” head coach Gail Goestenkors said of her freshmen. “They are all getting quality minutes in high-pressure situations.”

Duke dominated the overmatched Tigers with 48 percent shooting on the night. With the substantial lead, Goestenkors was able to use her bench, which chipped in 29 points.

“It’s a great feeling to be able to rely on your bench on both sides of the court,” Goestenkors said.