Upcoming Event: Women's Basketball versus Baylor on November 3, 2025 at 12 p.m.
Women's Basketball
vs Baylor
Wednesday, November 27
Henderson, Nev.
4:30 p.m.
Duke University
vs
Oklahoma
Photo by: Nat LeDonne / Duke Athletics
Blue Devils, Sooners to Clash for 2024 Ball Dawgs Classic Title
11/26/2024 7:47:00 PM | Women's Basketball
DURHAM, N.C. – The 13th-ranked Blue Devils gear up for their second straight top-15 matchup, taking on No. 8 Oklahoma in the Ball Dawgs Classic title game Wednesday, Nov. 27 at 4:30pm ET.
THE OPENING TIP:
LAST TIME OUT:
WREAKING HAVOC:
HEAT CHECK:
FOURNIER TAKING FLIGHT:
BENCH MOB:
BALANCING ACT – OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER:
UP NEXT:
No. 13 Duke makes a pit stop back home, unwrapping the month of December against the Columbia Sunday, Dec. 1. Action is slated to tip off at 12 p.m., live on ACC Network.
To stay up to date with Duke women's basketball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the YouTube channel by searching "DukeWBB."
50 Seasons of Duke Women's Basketball
The 2024-25 season marks the 50th anniversary of Duke women's basketball, a program rich in tradition, excellence and success. From its early foundations to national dominance, the Blue Devils have become a powerhouse in both athletics and academics. Join us in commemorating five decades of sisterhood, championships and iconic moments as we set the stage for the next 50 years. For more information, please visit goduke.com/WBB50.
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu
#GoDuke
THE OPENING TIP:
- Wednesday marks the fourth all-time meeting between Duke and Oklahoma with the series currently standing at 2-1 in favor of the Blue Devils. Duke took down the Sooners, 92-72, in the most recent matchup Dec. 17th, 2014.
- Duke enters the midweek tilt fresh off dispatching No. 9 Kansas State in the opening game of the MTE, 73-62.
- Ashlon Jackson poured in a career-high 30 points to lead the Blue Devil efforts while Reigan Richardson added 16 points and Delaney Thomas chipped in 10 points and eight boards. Taina Mair steadied the offense, dishing out a season-high seven dimes.
- Jackson's 30 points were the most by a Duke player since Haley Gorecki had 30 against Idaho State (11.21) in 2019, while also tying Lexie Brown (2.19.18) for the second-most points against a top-10 team.
- Jackson has reached double figures in six consecutive games, averaging 17.5 ppg over the stretch.
- Freshman Toby Fournier was tapped the USBWA Tamika Catchings National Freshman of the Week and the ACC Freshman of the Week for Nov. 25.
- The Blue Devils have wreaked havoc defensively, averaging 13.0 steals per game while forcing the opposition into 21.9 turnovers per game.
- Duke's 13.0 thefts per game currently rank third in program lore on the team single-season charts.
- Those marks also rank second in the ACC and 27th and 49th, respectively, in the NCAA (NCAA rankings as of 11.26).
- Duke has received a huge lift from its reserves this season, checking in at No. 16 nationally and first in the ACC with 35.7 bench points per game (NCAA rankings as of 11.26).
- Duke's offense has been on a tear to open the year with the Blue Devils putting up 80.4 points per game on 47-percent shooting - 43rd and 42nd, respectively, in the NCAA (NCAA rankings as of 11.26).
- The team's 80.4 average currently ranks No. 5 all-time on the team single-season charts and is the team's highest scoring average since 2013-14.
- The Blue Devils are averaging just under six made triples per game (5.9) - also No. 5 in program lore.
- Duke has put up 70 or more points in each game this season. It marks the team's longest streak of 70-point outings to open the year dating back to 2013-14, when Duke scored 70-plus in each of its first 10 games.
- Duke's balanced attack is led by the double-figure trio of Ashlon Jackson (15.7), Toby Fournier (12.9) and Reigan Richardson (11.6).
- The Blue Devils feature 10 players averaging at least 11 minutes per game with four playing 20-plus minutes a night - Ashlon Jackson (28.4), Reigan Richardson (25.5), Jadyn Donovan (25.1) and Taina Mair (22.6).
- One hundred and eight of the Blue Devils' 212 field goals this season have been assisted (.509) - equating to 15.4 dimes per game. Mair spearheads the charge with 3.6 per game.
LAST TIME OUT:
- Ashlon Jackson dropped a career-high 30 points to lead the 13th-ranked Blue Devils (6-1) to a convincing ,73-62, victory over No. 9 Kansas State (5-1) in the opening game of the 2024 Ball Dawgs Classic.
- Reigan Richardson contributed 16 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals in the winning effort, while junior Taina Mair quarterbacked the offense with a season-high seven dimes.
- Delaney Thomas was the third Duke player to finish in double figures, turning in a solid all-around performance of 10 points and eight rebounds.
WREAKING HAVOC:
- The Blue Devils have wreaked havoc defensively averaging 13.0 steals per game while forcing the opposition into 21.9 turnovers a night.
- Duke's 13.0 thefts per game currently rank third in program lore on the team single-season charts.
- Those marks also rank second in the ACC and 27th and 49th, respectively, in the NCAA (NCAA rankings as of 11.26).
- Duke has caused 20-plus turnovers in five of its first seven games, including a season-high of 34 by Radford in the season opener (11.4).
- The Blue Devils have also racked up 15 or more steals four times, posting a season-best 19 against the Highlanders (11.4).
- As a team, Duke has totaled 91 thefts on the year. Nine different Blue Devils own at least five steals with four players in double digits - Oluchi Okananwa (15), Delaney Thomas (15), Jadyn Donovan (12), Ashlon Jackson (12).
- Sophomores Oluchi Okananwa and Delaney Thomas lead the charge with the sophomore duo averaging 2.14 steals per game apiece.
- Graduate student Vanessa de Jesus, rookie Toby Fournier and junior Taina Mair have totaled seven steals each with sophomore Jordan Wood rounding out the group with six.
HEAT CHECK:
- Ashlon Jackson has been an extremely steady presence for the Blue Devils this season, averaging 15.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.7 steals.
- The junior erupted for a career-high 30 points on 10-of-15 shooting while adding three rebounds, two assists and two steals to her statline.
- It marked the 23rd double-figure scoring output, fourth 20-point performance and the first 30-burger of her career.
- Jackson's 30 points were the most by a Duke player since Haley Gorecki had 30 against Idaho State (11.21) in 2019, while also tying Lexie Brown (2.19.18) for the second-most points against a top-10 team.
- Sixteen of those came in the second quarter (6-of-7 FG, 4-of-4 3PT), matching the highest individual second-quarter scoring output by a Blue Devil all-time.
- She tied former Duke standout Haley Gorecki, who set the original second-period scoring mark against Davidson almost six years ago exactly (Nov. 27, 2019).
- Jackson has reached double figures in six consecutive games, averaging 17.5 ppg over the stretch.
FOURNIER TAKING FLIGHT:
- Rookie Toby Fournier has gotten her collegiate career off to a rapid start, putting the nation on notice she's a force to be reckoned with.
- Tapped the USBWA Tamika Catchings National Freshman and ACC Freshman of the Week (11.25), Fournier has maximized her efficiency ranking No. 2 on the team in scoring (12.9) and third on the glass with 4.7 rebounds.
- Her impact can also be felt on the defensive end, showcasing her rim-protecting ability with a team-best 1.3 rejections per game to go with 1.0 steals.
- She has reached double figures in five of Duke's first seven games and led the team in scoring on two occasions.
- The Toronto, Ontario product registered a career performance against Belmont (11.21) in which she poured in 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting, rounding out her night with six rebounds and three blocks.
- Fournier was the first Duke freshman since Rebecca Greenwell to open her career with at least four consecutive games in double figures. Greenwell began the 2014-15 season with six straight.
BENCH MOB:
- Duke has received a huge lift from its reserves this season, checking in at No. 16 nationally and first in the ACC with 35.7 bench points per game (NCAA rankings as of 11.26).
- In the 84-49 victory over Dayton (11.4), the Blue Devils erupted for 58 points off the bench with four of the team's six double-figure scorers being reserves. Duke also netted 51 off the bench versus Belmont (11.21).
- Freshman Toby Fournier and sophomore Jordan Wood have led the charge thus far, with the duo combining to average 20.7 points and 9.9 boards per game.
- Fournier has notched double figures in five of the first seven. She ranks second on the team in scoring (12.9) and third on the glass with 4.7 caroms.
- After seeing limited action in 2023-24, Wood (7.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg) has thrived in a larger role and been an instant impact player for the Blue Devils. She has 55 points this season after scoring just 19 in 14 games last year.
- The Chicago, Ill., native has posted double figures in three games, notching a career-high 17 points on 8-of-11 shooting, three rebounds and three steals against Dayton (11.14).
- Reigning ACC Sixth POTY Oluchi Okananwa (7.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg) picked up right where she left off and continues to inject a jolt of energy off the Duke bench.
- She most recently turned in a strong all-around performance with 15 points, five rebounds, two steals and two blocks against Belmont (11.21).
- Vanessa de Jesus (5.1 ppg, 2.3 apg) and Emma Koabel (2.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg) have also provided solid contributions for the Blue Devils this season.
- de Jesus has started to find her groove as of late. She tallied 10 points, three rebounds and two dimes against Dayton (11.14), following that with 13 points, three assists and two boards at South Dakota State (11.17).
BALANCING ACT – OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER:
- Duke's offense has been on a tear to open the year with the Blue Devils putting up 80.4 points per game on 47-percent shooting - 43rd and 42nd, respectively, in the NCAA (NCAA rankings as of 11.26).
- The team's 80.4 average currently ranks No. 5 all-time on the team single-season charts and is the team's highest scoring average since 2013-14.
- The Blue Devils are averaging just under six made triples per game (5.9) - also No. 5 in program lore.
- Duke has put up 70 or more points in each game this season. It marks the team's longest streak of 70-point outings to open the year dating back to 2013-14, when Duke scored 70-plus in each of its first 10 games.
- The Blue Devils have had at least three players reach double digits in each game. In total, the Blue Devils have had four different leading scorers, and eight different players reach double figures thus far.
- Duke scored 80-plus points in its first four games, marking the longest streak of 80-point outings to open the season since 2014-15.
- Duke's balanced attack is led by the double-figure trio of Ashlon Jackson (15.7), Toby Fournier (12.9) and Reigan Richardson (11.6).
- The Blue Devils feature 10 players averaging at least 11 minutes with four playing 20-plus minutes a night - Ashlon Jackson (28.4), Reigan Richardson (25.5), Jadyn Donovan (25.1) and Taina Mair (22.6).
- One hundred and eight of the Blue Devils' 212 field goals this season have been assisted (.509) - equating to 15.4 dimes per game. Mair spearheads the charge with 3.6 per game.
UP NEXT:
No. 13 Duke makes a pit stop back home, unwrapping the month of December against the Columbia Sunday, Dec. 1. Action is slated to tip off at 12 p.m., live on ACC Network.
To stay up to date with Duke women's basketball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the YouTube channel by searching "DukeWBB."
50 Seasons of Duke Women's Basketball
The 2024-25 season marks the 50th anniversary of Duke women's basketball, a program rich in tradition, excellence and success. From its early foundations to national dominance, the Blue Devils have become a powerhouse in both athletics and academics. Join us in commemorating five decades of sisterhood, championships and iconic moments as we set the stage for the next 50 years. For more information, please visit goduke.com/WBB50.
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu
#GoDuke
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