Winthrop Eagles vs Duke Blue Devils Box Score on Nov 29, 2019

Freshman forward Matthew Hurt scored 18 of his season-high 20 points in the first half as top-ranked Duke responded from a shocking loss earlier in the week to defeat visiting Winthrop 83-70 on Friday night in Durham, N.C.

The Blue Devils needed a strong late-game push to put away the Eagles, who were as close as nine points down in the final three minutes.

Vernon Carey Jr. added 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Duke sophomore Joey Baker poured in a career-best 16 points, hitting four 3-pointers. Tre Jones had 15 points and six assists.

The Blue Devils (7-1) were looking to recover from Tuesday night's stunning overtime loss to Stephen F. Austin. That outcome ended Duke's 150-game home-court winning streak against nonconference opponents.

Despite Friday's outcome, Duke will fall from the No. 1 ranking when next week's poll comes out.

Duke freshman guard Cassius Stanley went out with a left knee injury with 18:25 remaining after a hard crash as he missed a shot on a fast break. He entered the contest averaging 14.7 points per game.

Hunter Hale scored 11 points for Winthrop (4-4).

Duke went up 51-39 early in the second half before Winthrop closed it to 57-53 with 9:44 remaining before the Blue Devils stretched the margin. Later, Baker hit consecutive 3s to boost the lead to 76-64 with 2:18 left.

Duke led 42-35 at halftime, courtesy of a strong stretch prior to the break. The Blue Devils shot 53.6 percent from the field in the half, going 5-for-9 on 3-pointers.

Hurt scored 12 of Duke's first 29 points. Baker, a reserve, added eight points during a key stretch, logging almost nine minutes in the first half after playing three minutes in the game earlier in the week.

There were 10 lead changes in the first half, with the Eagles working in the lane for numerous shots. That was a trend on Duke's defensive end that was troubling three nights earlier against Stephen F. Austin.

Winthrop, which already owns a road victory against then-nationally ranked Saint Mary's, faced a No. 1-ranked team for the second time in program history. The other was a loss to Duke in 2002 NCAA Tournament in the only previous meeting between the teams.

--Field Level Media