With both Duke and St. Johns being offensive-minded teams averaging over 80 points a game and the history between the programs most expected this to be a dogfight. It was… for roughly 8 minutes. The teams were knotted at 21 all until the Blue Devils started to pull away, ending the half on a 26 to 16 run and building a ten point lead. Tre Jones and his defense against junior guard Shamorie Ponds keyed Duke in this game. Ponds, in the first half had 0 points and 5 turnovers. Ponds finished the the game 3-11 for 11 points.