Through 20 minutes of play, Duke has done exactly what it's supposed to—dominate Livingstone.
Junior Amile Jefferson, sophomore Matt Jones and freshmen Justise Winslow, Tyus Jones and Jahlil Okafor got the start for the Blue Devils and led an initial offensive push that spotted Duke a 20-5 lead just five minutes into the exhibition. By the time the full 20 minutes had passed, the Blue Devils found themselves with a 56-14 lead and an unexpected offensive leader.
Matt Jones got off to a hot start, scoring eight points in the first five minutes, including a pair of 3-pointers. He was not done there, however, as he would finish the half with 14 points to lead all scorers, shooting 5-of-5 from the field and 4-of-4 from long range after just making three treys all of last season.
But Jones was far from the only Duke player to find success against Livingstone, as all 10 Blue Devils that entered the game scored at least two points.
Okafor got the crowd into it just two minutes in, as he finished Winslow's miss on a fastbreak layup with a one-handed putback dunk. He would finish the half with six points and four rebounds.
Duke also managed to keep the Blue Bears in foul trouble, as the visiting team was in the bonus by the 12-minute mark. Livingstone would end the first period of play with 16 total fouls.
Center Shawn Jackson was the sole bright spot for the Blue Bears in the first half, as he scored five of their 14 points. The Blue Devil defense kept the intensity up from buzzer-to-buzzer, forcing 14 turnovers and allowing Livingstone just one offensive rebound.
Observations from the first half:
- This is the Matt Jones everybody expected last year and more. The sophomore guard was in the zone in the first half, hitting every shot he took and providing the Blue Devils with a huge offensive spark.
- Tyus Jones is going to be Duke's starting point guard and he's showed why thus far tonight. He didn't do much scoring, but his court vision was 20/20, as finished the half with six assists.
- Although it is just an exhibition, it is also Duke's first game against outside competition. This being said, there were a number of empty seats at Cameron Indoor Stadium at the beginning of the game. But the Cameron Crazies were in full effect, Livingstone was treated to the full Cameron welcome.
- Duke's defense was extremely active throughout the first half, playing a full-court press when the second team of Quinn Cook, Rasheed Sulaimon, Semi Ojeleye, Grayson Allen and Marshall Plumlee entered the game. The Blue Bears shot just 24 percent and committed 14 turnovers in the opening period.
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