Seniors lead Duke past Wildcats

After absorbing a 29-point beating by No. 1 Duke, Davidson head coach Bob McKillop resorted to a comparison from his high school days in New York City to describe the way the Blue Devils played.

"This is an entire team that plays like they live on Park Avenue, but they refuse to give the court up on West Fourth Street," McKillop said. "West Fourth Street's a pretty darn competitive park, and it's asphalt, and these guys aren't afraid of getting their knees bloody and their fingers stuck in the chain rims. And that's what makes them so special."

Duke defeated Davidson (0-1), 84-55, Saturday night, in a game that McKillop and Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski both said was closer than the results showed. The Blue Devils (3-0) used a 14-5 run that spanned from the last minute of the first half to the 15:42 mark of the second period to push an 11-point advantage to 20.

The run, kick-started by Duke guard J.J. Redick's three-pointer as time expired in the first half and capped by back-to-back Redick threes, effectively ended Davidson's chances for an upset. The Blue Devils' lead never again dipped below 18 points, and they closed the game on a 14-4 streak to win going away.

But unlike the team's last blowout win, over Seton Hall Nov. 16, Duke's overmatched opponent did not give the game away. The Blue Devils scored only four fast-break points in the contest after registering 19 against the Pirates. The Wildcats turned the ball over just 14 times and shot 38.6 percent.

"Defensively, to give up only one three against that team, and 55 points-this whole week we have played outstanding defense," Krzyzewski said. "We had to today in order to win. I am shocked at the margin of victory because it just seemed like it was a two-possession game the whole game. I think the reason for that is their attitude."

Redick scored 29 points to lead the Blue Devils. Forward Shelden Williams picked up an early foul, but managed to stay out of foul trouble a finish one blocked shot short of a triple-double, with 20 points, 10 rebounds and nine blocks. Forward Ian Johnson's 19 points led the Wildcats.