Duke Edges Florida State in Thrilling 91-87 Road Victory
Duke defeats Florida State 91-87 in a thrilling road contest. Jalen Hood-Schifino's clutch performance leads the Blue Devils to a crucial ACC victory. Duke improves to 12-3 and prepares for a home game against Miami.
TALLAHASSEE, FL – The Duke Blue Devils emerged victorious from a hard-fought battle against the Florida State Seminoles, securing a 91-87 win at the Tucker Center. Freshman phenom Jalen Hood-Schifino led the charge with a stellar performance, showcasing his clutch ability down the stretch. This victory marks a crucial road win for the Blue Devils as they navigate the challenging ACC schedule.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with momentum swinging between the two teams throughout the contest. Duke initially jumped out to an early lead, fueled by Hood-Schifino's aggressive drives to the basket. However, Florida State responded with a barrage of three-pointers, quickly closing the gap. The Seminoles took their first lead of the game midway through the first half, capitalizing on several Duke turnovers. As the first half neared its end, Duke struggled to contain Florida State’s transition offense, as they found themselves down by 6 points with just under 2 minutes to play. Kyle Filipowski then nailed a three pointer and Jeremy Roach hit a tough contested jumper to cut the lead to just 1 point entering the half. The second half was an equally intense affair, with neither team able to establish a significant advantage. The defining moment came with just under a minute remaining, as Duke found themselves down by 3. Hood-Schifino then drove to the basket, drawing a foul and converting the three point play to tie the game. On the ensuing possession, Mark Mitchell ripped the ball from the Seminole’s star guard and Roach was able to finish at the other end, to give Duke a 2 point lead that they would not relinquish.
Hood-Schifino was the star of the show for the Blue Devils, finishing with a game-high 28 points on an efficient 10-of-16 shooting. He also added 5 rebounds and 4 assists, showcasing his all-around game. His ability to create his own shot and score in crucial moments proved to be the difference-maker for Duke. Kyle Filipowski also delivered a strong performance, recording a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Filipowski's presence in the paint was crucial for Duke on both ends of the floor, as he battled for rebounds and contested shots.
Duke finished the game shooting 52% from the field and 40% from three-point range, displaying a strong offensive performance. However, they struggled on the boards, as Florida State out-rebounded them 38-32. Duke committed 12 turnovers, which led to several easy baskets for the Seminoles, but they compensated by dishing out 18 assists, highlighting their ball movement and team play. Notably, Florida State was only able to connect on 7 out of 20 of their free throw attempts, while Duke was 18 for 22 from the line.
This victory improves Duke's record to 12-3 (2-1 in ACC play) and provides a significant boost to their confidence as they continue their conference schedule. The Blue Devils will now return home to face the Miami Hurricanes, in a crucial conference matchup. The game against Miami will be a test of Duke's ability to defend their home court and maintain their momentum in the ACC. The Blue Devils will look to continue their strong offensive play and improve their rebounding as they aim for another conference win.