Upcoming Event: Women's Basketball versus Countdown to Craziness on October 3, 2025 at 7 p.m.
/
7 p.m.
Women's Basketball
vs Countdown to Craziness
Thursday, December 5
Columbia, S.C.
9 p.m.
Duke University
at
South Carolina
Photo by: Nat LeDonne / Duke Athletics
No. 8 Duke Primed for SEC/ACC Challenge Showdown at No. 3 South Carolina
12/4/2024 7:16:00 PM | Women's Basketball
DURHAM, N.C. – The Blue Devils gear up for a top-10 matchup on the road, making the trip to Columbia, S.C., for a date with No. 3 South Carolina Thursday, Dec. 5 as part of the 2024 SEC/ACC Challenge. Tipoff is slated for 9 p.m., ET live on ESPN.
THE OPENING TIP:
LAST TIME OUT:
OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER:
AWARD SEASON – BLUE DEVILS HONOR ROLL:
MAKING THE EXTRA PASS:
IN THE RANKINGS:
UP NEXT:
No. 8 Duke opens ACC play against Virginia Tech Sunday, Dec. 8. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m., 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:
- Duke was tapped the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) National Team of the Week after the Blue Devils went 3-0 this past week with back-to-back wins over top-10 teams.
- Duke checked in at No. 8 in the Week 5 Associated Press (AP) Top-25 poll released Monday, marking the program's highest ranking since 2014-15.
- The first NCAA NET rankings for the 2024-25 season were also unveiled with Duke ranked ninth nationally, and first in the ACC. The Blue Devils are currently No. 8 in the NET (NCAA rankings as of 12.4).
- Duke also ranks 11th nationally in Strength of Schedule (SOS), also tops in the ACC (NCAA rankings as of 12.4).
- Reigan Richardson was named the Associated Press (AP) Women's Basketball National Player of the Week and the ACC Women's Basketball Co-Player of the Week after putting up 23.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, shooting 54-percent from the field and 50 percent from three during the undefeated week.
- Duke's offense has been on a tear to open the year putting up 83.2 points on 48-percent shooting and 39 percent from deep - 25th, 24th and 16th, respectively, in the NCAA (NCAA rankings as of 12.4).
- The team's 83.2 points per game is the highest scoring average since 2013-14. Duke is also cashing in 6.2 triples per game.
- The Blue Devils' balanced attack is led by the double-figure trio of Reigan Richardson (15.0), Ashlon Jackson (14.9) and Toby Fournier (11.9).
- Overall, Duke has had five 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.
- Ten players average at least 10 minutes per game with five playing 20 plus - Ashlon Jackson (28.9), Reigan Richardson (27.3), Jadyn Donovan (24.6), Taina Mair (22.6), Delaney Thomas (20.7).
- Duke has looked to make the extra pass on offense with 167 of its 286 field goals coming via assists - a 58-percent assist rate.
- The Blue Devils rank in the top 25 nationally in assist average, slotted No. 18 with 18.6 dimes per game (NCAA rankings as of 12.4). Mair leads the way with 4.1.
- Duke has wreaked havoc defensively posting 11.7 steals (40th in the NCAA) per game while forcing its foes into 21.3 turnovers (50th) per contest (NCAA rankings as of 12.4).
- As a team, Duke has totaled 105 thefts on the year. Nine different Blue Devils own at least five steals with four players in double digits - Oluchi Okananwa (18), Delaney Thomas (16), Jadyn Donovan (15), Ashlon Jackson (12).
LAST TIME OUT:
- Reigan Richardson paced four Duke players in double figures while the Blue Devil defense delivered a strong all-around performance en route to claiming a 77-61 victory over Columbia Sunday afternoon.
- Richardson reached double digits for the third straight game and sixth time this season, spearheading the Duke charge with 19 points, seven rebounds and a pair of assists.
- She was joined in double figures by graduate student Vanessa de Jesus, freshman Toby Fournier and sophomore Delaney Thomas who each scored 10 apiece.
- Thomas tied for the team high in rebounds with seven caroms of her own, including four on the offensive glass, while de Jesus quarterbacked the offense with precision tallying a game-high six dimes to just one turnover.
- Defensively, the Blue Devils held Columbia to their lowest point total (63) and field goal percentage (.375) of the year, and also forced the Lions into a season-high 23 turnovers.
OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER:
- Duke's offense has been on a tear to open the year putting up 83.2 points on 48-percent shooting and 39 percent from deep - 25th, 24th and 16th, respectively, in the NCAA (NCAA rankings as of 12.4).
- The team's 83.2 points per game is the highest scoring average since 2013-14. Duke is also cashing in 6.2 triples per game. Both marks would rank No. 3 on the Duke charts if the season ended today.
- 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' balanced attack is led by the double-figure trio of Reigan Richardson (15.0), Ashlon Jackson (14.9), and Toby Fournier (11.9).
- Overall, Duke has had five 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.
- Ten players average at least 10 minutes per game with five playing 20 plus - Ashlon Jackson (28.9), Reigan Richardson (27.3), Jadyn Donovan (24.6), Taina Mair (22.6), 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.
AWARD SEASON – BLUE DEVILS HONOR ROLL:
- Duke women's basketball was tapped the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) National Team of the Week after the Blue Devils went 3-0 this past week with back-to-back wins over top-10 teams.
- Duke surged past No. 8 Oklahoma, 109-99, in an overtime thriller to win the title at the Ball Dawgs Classic. The Blue Devils shot 56 percent from the floor, 55 percent from three and 78 percent at the charity stripe while setting a program single-game assist record with 38 assists on 40 field goals.
- The Blue Devils' undefeated week also featured a 73-62 victory over No. 9 Kansas State in the opening game of the Ball Dawgs Classic, and a 77-61 win over Columbia Sunday afternoon at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
- Reigan Richardson was named the Associated Press (AP) Women's Basketball National Player of the Week and the ACC Women's Basketball Co-Player of the Week after putting up 23.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, shooting 54-percent from the field and 50 percent from three during the undefeated week.
- In the title game of the Ball Dawgs Classic, Richardson erupted for a career-high 35 points and seven assists, pulling down three rebounds as well en route to leading the Blue Devils to a thrilling, 109-99, overtime victory over the eighth-ranked Sooners. She set the Duke scoring record for most points in a win over a top-10 team, with the performance earning her tournament MVP honors.
- The senior had her hand all over the stat sheet in the triumph over the ninth-ranked Wildcats totaling 16 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals in the 73-62 dub.
- Richardson capped the weekend with another strong showing against Columbia Sunday, pacing the Blue Devils in the win with 19 points, seven rebounds and two assists.
- Toby Fournier earned USBWA Tamika Catchings National Freshman of the Week honors for Nov. 26 courtesy of a career-best performance versus Belmont.
- In the 79-47 dub over the Bruins, Fournier netted career highs in points (25) and blocks (3), while also pulling down six rebounds.
MAKING THE EXTRA PASS:
- Duke has looked to make the extra pass on offense with 167 of its 286 field goals coming via assists - a 58-percent assist rate.
- The Blue Devils rank in the top 25 nationally in assist average, slotted No. 18 with 18.6 dimes per game (NCAA rankings as of 12.4). That mark would rank fifth on the Duke single-season charts if the season ended today.
- Duke has tallied 11-plus helpers in each game this year and dropped at least 17 dimes in six contests.
- Seven Blue Devils have registered double-figure assists with four players owning 20 or more - Taina Mair (37), Vanessa de Jesus (26), Jadyn Donovan (22), Ashlon Jackson (20).
- 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.
IN THE RANKINGS:
- Duke checked in at No. 8 in the Week 5 Associated Press (AP) Top-25 poll released Monday, marking the program's highest ranking since 2014-15.
- The first NCAA NET rankings for the 2024-25 season were also unveiled with Duke ranked ninth nationally, and first in the ACC. The Blue Devils are currently No. 8 in the NET (NCAA rankings as of 12.4).
- The Blue Devils are 3-1 versus Quad 1, 1-0 against Quad 2 and 4-0 versus Quad 3 and 4.
- Duke also ranks 11th nationally in Strength of Schedule (SOS), also tops in the ACC (NCAA rankings as of 12.4).
UP NEXT:
No. 8 Duke opens ACC play against Virginia Tech Sunday, Dec. 8. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m., 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
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G/F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballWomen's Basketball Season Ticket Holder Tailgate
Sunday, September 07
Duke WBB: Kara Lawson - 13 Gold Medals. One Standard
Thursday, August 14
Duke WBB Postgame: NCAA Tournament Elite Eight
Sunday, March 30
Duke WBB Postgame: NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen
Friday, March 28
