Dominant Third-Quarter Effort Powers Duke Past Wake Forest, 69-46

Thursday, February 8

Durham, N.C.

7 p.m.

Duke University

15-7,7-4ACC

Wake Forest

4-19,0-11ACC

Wake Forest

Duke

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Dominant Third-Quarter Effort Powers Duke Past Wake Forest, 69-46

2/8/2024 9:23:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Postgame Notes (PDF)Coach Lawson Quotes (PDF)Duke Player Quotes (PDF)Coach Lawson Presser Okananwa Postgame Availability

DURHAM – The Duke women's basketball team used a dominant third-quarter performance to come away with a commanding, 69-46, win over Wake Forest Thursday night at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Taina Mair and Oluchi Okananwa led the Blue Devils' offense with a combined 33 points.

The Blue Devils outscored the Demon Deacons 25-5 in the third quarter en route to their 15th win of the year and seventh in conference action. Wake Forest falls to 4-19 overall and 0-11 in ACC play.

Jadyn Donovan had a solid all-around effort with eight points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Wake Forest jumped out in front in the first quarter, using an extended run in the final 4:32 for a 19-6 lead at the first break. The Demon Deacons outscored Duke, 15-1, in the final 4:32.
The Blue Devils got their offense going in the second quarter scoring 14 points on 46.6 percent shooting. Mair (5), Donovan (4), Okananwa (3) and Reigan Richardson made up the scoring during the period.
Defensively, Duke held Wake Forest to a 33-percent clip in the second and forced nine Demon Deacon turnovers as the home team pulled within seven, 27-20, at the break.
Duke carried the momentum into the third period, outscoring the Demon Deacons by 20 (25-5) in the frame to surge ahead, 44-32.
The five points scored in the third quarter by Wake Forest tied for the third fewest by a Duke foe all-time while the Demon Deacons' field goal percentage (8.3) tied for the second lowest by a Blue Devil opponent.
A 14-0 run early in the quarter, capped by eight-consecutive points from Ashlon Jackson and a nifty reverse layup via Richardson, propelled the Blue Devils in front and gave them the lead for good.
The Blue Devils kept their foot on the gas in the fourth quarter, extending their lead to 17 points in the first four minutes. Duke shot 56 percent in the final stanza and got to the free throw line seven times. Mair keyed the offense for the Blue Devils in the quarter with the team's first eight points. Okananwa had eight points in the period, sinking 4-of-4 from the charity stripe.

GAME NOTES

The Blue Devils had two players finish in double figures – Taina Mair (17) and Oluchi Okananwa (16).
With the win, Duke improves to 15-7 overall and 7-4 in ACC action. The Blue Devils also movie to 71-20 all-time against the Demon Deacons, including a 33-8 mark at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Thursday marks the fourth consecutive home game the Blue Devils have held their opponent to 46 points.
The Blue Devils shot 54 percent from the field (27-of-50) and 92 percent at the charity stripe (11-of-12) – both checking in as the fourth highest for Duke this season.
Duke forced 23 Wake Forest turnovers and scored 20 points off those miscues. The Blue Devils also finished the game with sizeable margins in points in the paint (36-8), second chance opportunities (15-0) and bench scoring (26-12)
Duke outscored Wake Forest 25-5 in the third quarter. The five points scored in the third quarter by Wake Forest tied for the third fewest by a Duke foe all-time while the Demon Deacons' field goal percentage (8.3) tied for the second lowest by a Blue Devil opponent.
The Blue Devils have held 21 of 22 foes below their respective season scoring average. Wake Forest's 46 points were 13 points fewer than its average of 59.0.

UP NEXT
Duke hosts rival North Carolina in its National Women and Girls in Sports Day game. The matchup is slated for Sunday, Feb. 11 at 2 p.m., live on ACC Network.

To stay up to date with Duke women's basketball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWBB."

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