Duke Defeats Wingate, 99-31, in First Exhibition

Thursday, November 5

Durham, N.C.

7:00 p.m.

Duke University

Wingate

Duke Defeats Wingate, 99-31, in First Exhibition

11/5/2009 9:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball

By: Duke Sports Information

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DURHAM, N.C. - Junior Jasmine Thomas led the way with 17 points, freshman Allison Vernerey scored 16 points in her debut and senior Joy Cheek pulled down a team high 13 rebounds as Duke ran away from Wingate, 99-31, in an exhibition contest from Cameron Indoor Stadium Thursday night.

"Great to get started, great to get the season started and get after it as a team," head coach Joanne P. McCallie said. "Good to have an opponent to execute and do things. I thought there were some really good things out there on the floor, a million things to improve on but a great start. We are looking forward to the film and learning from the film some more things."

Six Blue Devils scored in double-figures in the game with Cheek, junior Krystal Thomas, junior Karima Christmas and sophomore Kathleen Scheer all chipping in with 12 points.

The Blue Devils ended the game shooting 41-of-83 (.494) from the field and 7-of-19 (.368) from three. Duke really heated up in the second half connecting on 20-of-35 (.571) shots.

Vernerey ran the floor well in her debut in front of the Cameron faithful with Thomas and sophomore Chelsea Hopkins finding the 6'8" target in the middle of the paint. The Alsace, France native shot 8-of-10 (.800) from the floor and blocked four shots and had six steals on the defensive end.

"It was great to finally get the opportunity to start games," Vernerey said. "I was really excited and it's all great for me. I know I have to work on a lot of things but I like the way we work and the way we play. I can really fit in this game and I really like this game. So I am going to continue to improve to fit into this game."

Thomas set the tone on both the offensive and defensive sides of the court for Duke in the first half as the Blue Devils pulled to a 27-8 lead in the first 11 minutes. Thomas worked hard to push the tempo, dishing out five assists

She also stepped in front of passing lanes and pestered the Wingate ball handlers all game to record a team high seven steals.

Duke's pressure created 27 points off turnovers and 21 fast break points, while Wingate was unable to score any points on the break or off of a Duke turnover.

"I try to run the ball more effectively," McCallie said. "We are trying to do different things with different sets, and we are trying to share the ball more, make the game simpler. You look at the balance scoring attack that was exhibited today, that is very important. That's very dangerous when you have different people that can score. So the key is to get the ball to them in the best place for them."

The Duke defense was stingy all game holding the Bulldogs to 18 points in the first half and just 13 in the second. Wingate shot 11-of-45 (.244) for the game and had 41 turnovers to Duke's measly 11.

All nine Blue Devils who saw action on the court scored. Senior Bridgette Mitchell put in nine, freshman Alexis Rogers netted five and Hopkins added four.

Hopkins, a Las Vegas, Nev. native also pitched in with four steals and four assists.

Duke will face Alaska Anchorage this Sunday from Cameron Indoor Stadium at 2:00 p.m. in their final exhibition contest.