Blue Devils Smash Syracuse On The Road 71-51

1 week ago7 min read

Alright, folks, let’s talk about a team that’s finally starting to look like the squad we thought they’d be. The Duke Blue Devils just went into the JMA Wireless Dome and absolutely smothered Syracuse, walking out with a 71-51 win that was about as pretty as a defensive clinic gets.Remember that brutal five-game stretch where Duke went 1-4 and had everyone hitting the panic button? Yeah, that feels like ancient history now. They’ve ripped off four straight wins, and this latest one—on the road, no less—pushes them back over.500 at 7-6. More importantly, at 2-0 in the ACC, they’re sitting tied for first.Let that sink in after the early-season drama. This wasn't a shootout; it was a stranglehold.Duke’s offense had its moments of clunkiness, but who needs a flawless offensive night when your defense is playing with that kind of menace? Syracuse, a team that loves to attack the paint, was held to a frigid 34% from the field and a downright miserable 17% from deep. Nineteen turnovers? That’s not just sloppy play by the Orange; that’s active, disruptive, hands-in-every-passing-lane defense from the Blue Devils.It’s the kind of performance that wins you games in March, and it’s built on the foundation of their sophomore star, Toby Fournier. The dude was a problem Syracuse had no answer for, dropping 22 points on an efficient 10-15 shooting (all inside the arc, because why bother with threes when you can own the paint?) and snagging 7 boards.He’s the engine, but the supporting cast showed up too. Ashlon Jackson and Riley Nelson each chipped in 11 points, providing the steady backcourt presence.But the real spark off the bench? Arianna Roberson. Twelve points in just 16 minutes? That’s not just productive; that’s a statement.She came in, provided instant energy, and stretched the floor, showing the kind of depth that can separate good teams from great ones. Syracuse’s game plan clearly got derailed early, with their top interior presence, Alaina Rice, spending way too much time on the bench saddled with foul trouble.Without her anchor, Duke’s frontcourt, led by Fournier, made Syracuse’s usually-dominant paint game look pedestrian. It’s a classic case of a team exploiting a matchup weakness and never letting their foot off the gas.So, what does this mean moving forward? For Duke, it’s massive. They’ve weathered the storm, found an identity rooted in gritty defense, and have a bona fide star in Fournier to build around.The confidence from winning four straight, including two ACC road games, is immeasurable. For Syracuse, it’s a harsh welcome to conference play—a season-low 51 points and a reminder that in the ACC, you can’t have an off day, especially against a program with Duke’s pedigree.

#Duke Blue Devils

#Syracuse Orange

#women's basketball

#ACC

#Toby Fournier

#lead focus news

#road win

#defense

#team standings