​LAWRENCE, KANSAS – OCTOBER 25: Jon Scheyer of the Duke Blue Devils reacts during the first half of an exhibition game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse on October 25, 2026 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Reed Hoffmann/Getty Images) GettyDURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 02: Deron Rippey Jr. #3 of the Duke Blue Devils dunks the ball during the first half of the game against the Army Black Knights at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 02, 2026 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Alex Halloway/Getty Images) GettyDURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 02: Dame Sarr #7 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after a dunk during the first half of the game against the Army Black Knights at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 02, 2026 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Alex Halloway/Getty Images) GettyDURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 02: Patrick Ngongba II #21 of the Duke Blue Devils during the first half of the game against the Army Black Knights at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 02, 2026 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Alex Halloway/Getty Images) GettyDuke dominated the first half against Coastal Carolina by a score of 54-18. The Blue Devils were able to get out and run a lot because of their defense. It was the definition of defense leading to offense, and the guards of Coastal Carolina were having trouble bringing the ball up the court. It was a well-rounded first half for Duke, dominated in the paint and got to the free-throw line a bunch.Duke: the offensive explosion GettyDURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 02: Deron Rippey Jr. #3 of the Duke Blue Devils dunks the ball during the first half of the game against the Army Black Knights at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 02, 2026 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Alex Halloway/Getty Images)
Duke dominated the paint in the first half, only making three-pointers. The Blue Devils scored 26 points in the paint and shot 23 free throws, making 17 of them. Their size proved to be too much, and there was nothing that Coastal Carolina could do.Duke shot 17/30 in the first half, which is 57% from the field. The only thing that they wish they could have done better is not turning the ball over. They finished the first half with 11 turnovers, but they still had a big lead, so it didn’t matter as much.Duke: Defensive MasterclassGettyDURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 02: Dame Sarr #7 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after a dunk during the first half of the game against the Army Black Knights at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 02, 2026 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Alex Halloway/Getty Images)
The Blue Devils’ defense led to a lot of points on the other end. They forced 12 turnovers and had 9 steals that led to 21 points off turnovers and 21 fast-break points. This was a defensive masterclass by Duke, and they didn’t give the Chanticleers any breathing room. This was about as good a defensive first half as Jon Sheyer could have asked for.Even when they weren’t forcing turnovers,