Can Duke Blue Devils Preserve Their Winning Streak in Atlantic Coast Conference Rankings?

By the Blue Devils being ranked fourth in the Atlantic Coast with a conference record of 9-2, they still were able to be on the winning side of the pedestal. Clemson is still far down in the ranking once again as of now in the Atlantic Coast, ranked 12th in the conference, and still remains 4-8. They have not gotten on the winning streak they would have liked against the competition. There hasn't been any improvement with Clemson as they played Duke in tonight's games; they will remain as the 11-12 overall. 

As Clemson's matchup with Duke wasn't a challenge that Duke could not take on, this game was a matchup that Duke could handle to keep their ranking in the lineup. With Clemson playing on Duke's home court, it was extra loud in the stands that brought Duke's players up to perform significantly as they did tonight. Duke has won six of their last seven as they took care of Clemson at home, 74-55. Duke had an amazing field goal percentage of 50% and shot seven of 23 at the three-point line. As said before by Toby Fournier, being their lead scorer, she put up 20 points with four rebounds in this game. Ashlon Jackson and Oluchi Okananwa, as well from Duke, together contributed 29 points and seven rebounds for the Blue Devils. Clemson player Maddi Cluse was able to put up 19 points for the Tigers. Going into the first quarter, Clemson already had three turnovers, and Duke only had one in the six minutes of the game. Fournier was able to elevate herself through the paint, going up with two players on her at once. She was able to handle the defensive lineup Clemson had on offense, and she is very consistent.

Clemson was trying to find ways to make a play and score, but it was not it for them with the defense and offense Duke had put up during these quarters. They were unable to get back fast enough on defense to even attempt to make a steal from Duke. Duke was able to go up for layups just by the fast breaks they were making and the great passes as well. Duke makes sure they take initiative on their offense and looks to run the floor with the vision to seek their players. Clemson was able to push the ball more moving into the second quarter, making the passes they needed to make on offense to where they could score in the paint. Clemson was able to keep up with the Blue Devils, but they just needed to find a way to score. Clemson was able to attack by making long-range three-point shooting. Clemson was able to control the momentum of this game, but they needed to keep it through all four quarters, and that's where they fell short. Duke was able to find their way through the zone and made it to their 29th shot. Reigan Richardson was a dominant asset in tonight's game as well, she pulled up many of her shots, contributing 12 points and five rebounds. 

Anya Poole put up 11 points and a rebound for the Tigers. It seems as if Clemson's lead scorers weren't able to put up a fight as they usually would; they had to have other players pick up where they left off. Duke is a team that has the best defense hands down when it comes to retaliating and taking control of the ball. Duke came up with nine steals, and Clemson took in three, which is why the Blue Devils defense is the way it is. In the paint, the Blue Devils had 32 points from the great passes they took and having great vision on the floor, their players work together and have the potential for improvement to always get better. Clemson is shooting 67% on the season, so fixes to their team can be made to move up in the rankings. This matchup wasn't very easy for the Tigers to take on.