Patrick Ngongba II delivered a statement performance in Durham, shattering his career scoring record with 28 points and nine rebounds as No. 2 Duke dismantled Coastal Carolina 113-52 on Thursday night. The 6-foot-11 junior, who entered the game with a previous high of 17 points, capped a historic first half by dunking off a Caleb Foster assist in the final seconds before intermission. Duke’s offensive efficiency was staggering, as the Blue Devils (2-0) shot 61.3% from the field and drained 11 of 22 three-point attempts, establishing a commanding lead that never wavered.
Key Match Highlights & Tactical Analysis
The game was effectively decided in the opening minutes, with Duke scoring the first 16 points to stifle Coastal Carolina’s rhythm. Ngongba extended his lead early in the second half by hitting consecutive three-pointers on the break, pushing Duke’s advantage to 66-20 and forcing a timeout. The Chanticleers (0-2), who were projected to finish 13th in the Sun Belt Conference, struggled significantly with turnovers against Duke’s length and defensive aggression, failing to find any consistent offensive flow throughout the contest.
Trey Perry led Coastal Carolina with 14 points, but his efforts were isolated in a game where the visitors could not overcome Duke’s superior athleticism and depth. For Duke, the victory serves as a crucial confidence builder, showcasing their ability to control pace and exploit mismatches. With Ngongba finding his rhythm and the team executing flawlessly, the Blue Devils have set a high bar for the remainder of their non-conference schedule, signaling that their title aspirations remain firmly intact.
Source: Yahoo Sports
