Coming off of three home wins against top-15 teams, Duke took the next step in its reemergence Thursday, proving its ability to translate its success onto the road.
The Blue Devils have relied on their lengthy matchup zone to fuel a nine-game winning streak, but to earn their first ACC road win they will have to knock off another team that also has not allowed 70 points in more than a month.
The shots were not falling for Duke Monday, but the Blue Devils found a new formula for a win against a top-10 team, getting clutch stops on defense throughout the game to upset Louisville.
The Blue Devils scored on their first four possessions of the game to jump out to an early 9-5 lead and still led 15-12 after a quarter of play, but cooled off considerably in the second quarter.
Lexie Brown lifted the Blue Devils to their second win against a top-20 SEC opponent of the season.
After avenging two of their 2015-16 losses in December, the Blue Devils hope to ring in the new year by continuing their revenge tour in their ACC opener.
On a night during which the Blue Devils honored former four-time All-American center Elizabeth Williams, it was only fitting that Duke beat No. 17 Kentucky by holding the Wildcats to 30.0 percent shooting.
Despite an off shooting day from Greenwell, Brown’s 24 points helped the No. 15 Blue Devils top No. 17 Kentucky 69-54 Thursday at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
No. 15 Duke will return to the court following seven days off for its holiday break to host the No. 17 Wildcats Thursday at 7 p.m. at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Several Blue Devil teams had to cope with adversity in 2016, but few had to face as much as Duke's women's basketball team.
Lexie Brown put on an efficient scoring clinic to help lift the Blue Devils past the Wildcats last Wednesday.
The Blue Devils have a pair of sharpshooting guards in Lexie Brown and Rebecca Greenwell, but during Wednesday's game Duke was the team relying on its strength inside.
After starting the season with eight games in 17 days and a cross-country road trip, the Blue Devils will look to play just as sharp following a 12-day break for final exams.
Despite converting on just 40.0 percent of its shots, No. 21 Duke relied on its defense to knock off a resilient Elon team 68-61 Thursday at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Amile Jefferson and Luke Kennard have turned into one of the best duos in the nation so far this season.
For a college basketball coach, preparing for any game requires gaining a deep understanding of the opponent.
Williams was the first player in ACC history to become an AP All-American four times and averaged 14.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per contest during her illustrious career from 2011-2015.
After 12 weeks on the outside looking in, Duke returned to the top 25 Monday.
Rebecca Greenwell finally delivered in a big game, leading Duke to its most impressive win in recent memory.
Buoyed by their three-guard lineup, the Blue Devils did something they has seemed impossible against a ranked team the past few years. They stopped turning the ball over.
