Upcoming Event: Women's Basketball versus #16 Baylor on November 3, 2025 at 12 p.m.
Women's Basketball
vs #16 Baylor
Saturday, December 21
Tampa, Fla.
12 p.m.
Duke University
at
South Florida
Photo by: Nat LeDonne / Duke Athletics
No. 9 Duke Caps Non-Conference Slate Saturday at South Florida
12/20/2024 3:02:00 PM | Women's Basketball
DURHAM, N.C. – No. 9 Duke wraps up non-conference play in Tampa this weekend, taking on South Florida Saturday, Dec. 21 at the Yuengling Center. Tipoff is set for 12 p.m., live on ESPN2.
THE OPENING TIP:
Duke resumes ACC play, unwrapping the New Year at Boston College Jan. 2 at 7 p.m., live on ACCNX.
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.
#GoDuke
THE OPENING TIP:
- Duke and South Florida square off for just the fourth time all-time, the Blue Devils holding a 3-0 edge in the series.
- Saturday's matchup is the first between the schools in over a decade. Duke rolled to an 89-52 victory over the Bulls back on Nov. 15, 2007.
- Duke boasts one if its most potent offenses in recent memory, as the Blue Devils have been on a tear this season putting up 82.8 points on 49% shooting from the field and 38% from deep.
- Duke has scored at least 70 points in each game this season. The 12 consecutive 70-plus point outings to open the year is a program best.
- Duke is No. 9 in the AP poll and 11th in the latest NET rankings. The Blue Devils' Strength of Schedule (SOS) currently checks in No. 2 nationally and first in the ACC (NCAA rankings as of 12.20).
- In the latest NCAA team rankings (as of 12.20), Duke is top 25 in five categories - bench points per game (5th), rebounding margin (16th), field goal percentage (17th), three point percentage (17th), assist average (19th) and scoring offense (20th).
- The Blue Devils' balanced attack is led by the double-figure trio of Toby Fournier (13.3), Ashlon Jackson (12.8) and Reigan Richardson (12.6).
- Nine players average at least 10 minutes per game with five playing 20 plus - Ashlon Jackson (27.9), Reigan Richardson (27.5), Jadyn Donovan (23.7), Taina Mair (24.0) and Delaney Thomas (20.7).
- Fournier has gotten her collegiate career off to a rapid start, putting the nation on notice she's a force to be reckoned with.
- She has reached double figures eight times, netted a trio of 20-point outings and led the team in scoring on four occasions.
- Fournier leads the Blue Devils in scoring (13.3) and ranks third on the glass at 4.8. Her 58% shooting from the floor ranks 25th in the NCAA and second in the ACC (NCAA rankings as of 12.20).
- Fournier has maximized her efficiency this season, averaging around a point per minute. The freshman has totaled 159 points in 208 minutes played, equating to an average of 0.76.
- Additionally, she has seen an uptick at the charity stripe over her last six games, knocking down her freebies at a 78% clip (18-of-23) after shooting 55.2% (16-of-29) to open the year.
- Duke has received a huge lift from its reserves this season checking in at fifth nationally with 36.4 bench points per game (NCAA rankings as of 12.20). Duke has doubled up its foes, outscoring them 437-213.
- Duke has looked to make the extra pass on offense with nearly 60% of its field goals coming via assists. For the season, the Blue Devils have dropped 225 dimes on 383 buckets (.587). The Blue Devils rank 19th nationally in assist average with 18.8 dimes per game (NCAA rankings as of 12.20).
- Eight Blue Devils have registered double-figure assists with five players owning 20 or more - Taina Mair (48), Reigan Richardson (35), Vanessa de Jesus (31), Jadyn Donovan (30), Ashlon Jackson (22).
- Richardson has been a magician with the basketball lately, putting her playmaking ability on full display with 17 assists to two turnovers over her last two games - an 8.5 assist/turnover ratio.
- Following a slow start to the season, forward Delaney Thomas appears to have found her rhythm, seamlessly flipping the switch and emerging as an offensive weapon for the Blue Devils over the last month of play.
- Thomas has reached double figures in four consecutive games and five of her last six contests, averaging 11.5 points and 4.8 rebounds on 58% shooting during this stretch. She has been incredibly efficient from the floor over her last three games, putting up 14.3 points on a blistering 87% clip while averaging 1.06 points per possession.
- Duke boasts one if its most potent offenses in recent memory, as the Blue Devils have been on a tear this season putting up 82.8 points on 49% shooting from the field and 38% from deep.
- The Blue Devils' current scoring average is their highest dating back to the 2013-14 campaign, while the field goal percentage is the best since 2016-17.
- In the NCAA team rankings, the Blue Devils rank 17th in three point shooting, 17th in field goal percentage and 20th in scoring offense (NCAA rankings as of 12.20).
- Duke has scored at least 70 points in each game this season and shot at a 50% clip in seven contests. The 12 consecutive 70-plus point outings to open the year marks a program best for the Blue Devils.
- Duke has also eclipsed the 80-point threshold seven times and scored 90-plus points on two occasions.
- The Blue Devils' balanced attack is led by the double-figure trio of Toby Fournier (13.3), Ashlon Jackson (12.8) and Reigan Richardson (12.6).
- Overall, Duke has had seven different leading scorers with nine different players reaching double figures thus far.
- The Blue Devils have featured a minimum of three players in double figures each game and finished with at least five double-digit scorers three times this season.
- Nine players average at least 10 minutes per game with five playing 20 plus - Ashlon Jackson (27.9), Reigan Richardson (27.5), Jadyn Donovan (23.7), Taina Mair (24.0) and Delaney Thomas (20.7).
- Duke's 109 points against Oklahoma (11.27) were the Blue Devils' most against a ranked foe since Jan. 24, 2002, when the team scored 102 points in a 20-point triumph over No. 21 North Carolina.
- The Blue Devils have eclipsed the 100-point threshold three times under Kara Lawson with the 109 points ranking second in the Kara Era - just two shy of the 111 scored against Charleston Southern in 2022-23.
- 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.
- Fournier has reached double figures eight times, netted a trio of 20-point outings and led the team in scoring on four occasions.
- Fournier leads the Blue Devils in scoring (13.3) and ranks third on the glass with 4.8 boards per game. Her 58% shooting from the floor ranks 25th in the NCAA and second in the ACC (NCAA rankings as of 12.20).
- Additionally, Fournier has seen an uptick at the charity stripe over her last six games. She has knocked down her freebies at a 78% clip (18-of-23), after shooting 55.2% (16-of-29) to open the year.
- The Toronto, Ont., Canada product has maximized her efficiency this season, averaging around a point per minute. The freshman has totaled 159 points in 208 minutes played, equating to an average of 0.76.
- Fournier earned her second ACC Freshman of the Week (12.9) honor after posting a near double-double in the ACC opener against Virginia Tech (12.8) with a career-high 27 points and nine rebounds.
- Her 27 points were the most points by a Duke freshman in an ACC opener all-time, with the 12 field goals tied for second on the freshman single game records list with former Duke standout Alana Beard (3x).
- Fournier earned USBWA Tamika Catchings National Freshman of the Week (11.26) and ACC Freshman of the Week (11.25) honors courtesy of a stellar performance - 25 points, six boards, three blocks - versus Belmont (11.21).
- Duke has received a huge lift from its reserves this season checking in at fifth nationally with 36.4 bench points per game (NCAA rankings as of 12.20). Duke has doubled up its foes, outscoring them 437-213.
- The Blue Devil bench has registered 50 points on four occasions, erupting for 58 points versus Dayton (11.14), 53 against Wofford (12.18) and 51 versus Belmont (11.21) and Virginia Tech (12.8).
- Freshman Toby Fournier and sophomore Jordan Wood have led the charge thus far, with the duo combining to average 21.2 points and 9.3 boards per game.
- Fournier has notched double figures in eight games and surpassed the 20-point mark three times, including a career-high 27 points in the ACC opener against Virginia Tech (12.8). She paces the team in scoring (13.3) and ranks third on the glass with 4.8 rebounds per game.
- After seeing limited action in 2023-24, Wood (7.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg) has thrived in a larger role and been an instant impact player for the Blue Devils. She has 95 points this season after scoring just 19 in 14 games last year.
- The Chicago, Ill., native has posted double figures in four 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 (8.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg) picked up right where she left off and continues to inject a jolt of energy off the Duke bench.
- Okananwa has started to find her groove as of late, notching double digits in three consecutive games while averaging 14.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.0 steals during the stretch.
- Vanessa de Jesus (4.8 ppg, 2.6 apg) and Emma Koabel (1.7 ppg, 1.8 rpg) have also provided solid contributions for the Blue Devils this season.
- Duke has looked to make the extra pass on offense with nearly 60% of the team's field goals coming via assists. For the season, the Blue Devils have dropped 225 dimes on 383 buckets (.587).
- The Blue Devils rank 19th nationally in assist average with 18.8 dimes per game (NCAA rankings as of 12.20). Duke has tallied 11 or more helpers in each game and dropped 17-plus dimes nine times.
- Eight Blue Devils have registered double-figure assists with five players owning 20 or more - Taina Mair (48), Reigan Richardson (35), Vanessa de Jesus (31), Jadyn Donovan (30), Ashlon Jackson (22).
- Richardson has been a magician with the basketball lately, putting her playmaking ability on full display with 17 assists to two turnovers in wins over Virginia Tech (12.8) and Wofford (12.18) - an 8.5 assist/turnover ratio.
- The senior had seven helpers against the Hokies before one-upping her performance with a career-high 10 dimes versus the Terriers. Six of Richardson's assists against Wofford came during the opening frame, slotting herself atop the program charts for most first quarter assists.
- Mair has been steady quarterbacking the Duke offense this season, averaging 4.0 assists per contest. The junior has notched three-plus assists in nine games, including six contests with four or more.
- She was stellar handling the rock in wins over No. 9 Kansas State (11.25) and No. 8 Oklahoma (11.27) at the Ball Dawgs Classic, dishing seven dimes against the Wildcats and a season-high nine against the Sooners.
- Mair averaged 8.0 dimes per game and finished the MTE with a 3.2 assist/turnover ratio after totaling 16 assists to just five turnovers.
- In the 109-99 overtime victory over No. 8 Oklahoma, Duke rewrote the program record books racking up a single-game record 38 assists on 40 made field goals for a remarkable 95-percent assist rate.
- The 38 dimes set a program single-game record, surpassing the previous 20-year-old mark of 36 set in 2005 at San Diego (12.30), then tied again versus UNC Wilmington (12.20) in 2011.
- Following a slow start to the season, forward Delaney Thomas appears to have found her rhythm, seamlessly flipping the switch and emerging as an offensive weapon for the Blue Devils over the last month of play.
- Thomas has reached double figures in four consecutive games and five of her last six contests, averaging 11.5 points and 4.8 rebounds on 58% shooting during this stretch.
- The Charles Town, W. Va., product has been incredibly efficient from the floor over her last three games, putting up 14.3 points on a blistering 87% clip while averaging 1.06 points per possession.
- Thomas scored 14 points in back-to-back games against No. 3 South Carolina (12.5) and Virginia Tech (12.8), before posting a season-high 15 points against Wofford this past Wednesday (12.18).
- She was a perfect 7-of-7 from the floor against the Gamecocks, following that with consecutive 6-of-8 shooting performances against the Hokies and Terriers.
- Thomas also posted near double-doubles against Kansas State (11.25) and Columbia (12.1), as the sophomore scored 10 points in both contests while corralling eight and seven rebounds, respectively.
- Duke checks in at No. 9 in the Associated Press (AP) Top-25 poll and 11th in the latest NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) rankings. The Blue Devils are 3-2 versus Quad 1, 3-0 against Quad 2 and 4-0 versus Quad 3 and 4.
- The Blue Devils have already played five teams ranked in the top 50 of the NET - South Carolina (1st), Kansas State (4th), Oklahoma (12th), Maryland (18th), South Dakota State (41st) and Belmont (47th).
- Duke's Strength of Schedule (SOS) currently checks in No. 2 nationally and first in the ACC. Three of Duke's foes thus far also boast top-20 SOS's - South Carolina (1st), Belmont (T-6th), South Dakota State (9th).
- In the NCAA team rankings, Duke is top 25 in five categories - bench points per game (5th), rebounding margin (16th), field goal percentage (17th), three point percentage (17th), assist average (19th) and scoring offense (20th).
- The Blue Devils are also 31st in offensive rebounds per game (15.0), 38th in win percentage (83.3%), 41st in assist/turnover ratio (1.2) and scoring margin (18.2) and 42nd in steals per game (11.2).
- Individually, freshman Toby Fournier ranks 25th nationally with a .579 field goal percentage (minimum 5 FGM/G average) while Ashlon Jackson checks in at No. 28 in three point percentage (45.5%).
Duke resumes ACC play, unwrapping the New Year at Boston College Jan. 2 at 7 p.m., live on ACCNX.
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.
#GoDuke
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