Duke enters the tournament on a two-game losing skid and faces Vermont in a close match. Vermont makes a strong comeback, narrowing the lead to two points late in the first half. Duke leads 28-23 with 3:42 left in the half. Both teams show competitive play, with Duke having a 9-4 rebounding edge and leading in free throws. Mark Mitchell impresses with three dunks, and Jaylen Blakes contributes to the game with turnovers and steals. The game remains intense as Vermont keeps hanging around, trailing Duke 29-27 with 2:00 left. Duke struggles with turnovers despite moments of defensive success.
"HE LOST HIS GOGGLES AND STILL MADE IT!" 😂 @UVMmbb https://t.co/IytM9Zw8H6
THE CATAMOUNTS CAME TO PLAY 🤯 IT'S A 9-1 RUN 🔥 #MarchMadness @UVMmbb https://t.co/RH38oHhWi0
Vermont keeps hanging around. Duke lead down to 29-27 with 2:00 left.
Vermont has pulled within two points of Duke here late in the first half. Getting interesting!
Vermont, you have my full and undivided attention.
HERE COME THE CATAMOUNTS 🔥 #MarchMadness @UVMmbb https://t.co/XEANvgBo4d
Duke had a chance to put this game on ice with a 10-point lead thanks to 3 quick Jaylen Blakes steals. Instead, Duke turned it over 3 times (Blakes, too) and has gone scoreless in five consecutive possessions. Duke up 28-23 but Vermont (really UConn) fans are perky
Think Jon Scheyer is a possession too late on this timeout. Duke leads 28-23 with 3:42 until halftime. Blue Devils haven't scored in 2 1/2 minutes and that was on a Jaylen Blakes fast break; haven't scored in the halfcourt since the 8:00 mark, a Mark Mitchell dunk.
Duke getting turnover happy and Vermont has pulled within 28-23 with 3:42 left in the half.
Ghosts of TJ Sorrentine stirring here in Brooklyn as Vermont cuts Duke's lead to 5.
Blue Devils turning defense ➡️ offense @DukeMBB https://t.co/HTdKECsjg6
Jaylen Blakes https://t.co/LDZApfBCCt
5 consecutive turnovers in this game. Jaylen Blakes taketh Jaylen Blakes giveth away
Duke has gotten steady and strong minutes from chaos neutral Jaylen Blakes. In the NCAA tournament. Go figure.
Spencer Hubbard gonna be running point here soon
Mild concern for Duke that McCain and Proctor each have 2 fouls in first half. Proctor now back in for McCain. Blakes getting run as a result
Duke taking control and up, 26-16, with 7:38 left in the half. Mitchell up to 11 points. Has hit 4 of 6 shots. https://t.co/v3SdEHtt3C
Mark Mitchell double-digit tracker: 0 points ---------- ✅10 points Duke is 32-4* when he scores in double figures.
FOUR https://t.co/r78ifYD4TV
Jeremy Roach's 4th block of the season.
Free throws: Duke-12 Vermont-0
Two fouls on Tyrese Proctor, makes that Caleb Foster injury hurt even more.
This is not a Duke lineup I expected to see ... ever. Annnnnd Kyle Filipowski checks in.
Mark Mitchell, Duke's No. 4 scorer at 12.3 ppg, has nine points. Duke 22-16 midway through half.
A little surprised to see this many possessions (15) in the first nine minutes. These two teams are 230th (Duke) and 350th (Vermont) in tempo coming in to the game.
Duke with a 9-4 rebounding edge as Vermont is one-and-done on offensive end (no offensive rebounds). Catamounts are shooting 7 of 14 and Duke leads 21-16
Duke leads Vermont 21-16 at U12 TV break, and Kyle Filipowski hasn't attempted a shot.
Mark Mitchell already with three dunks tonight
Sean Stewart will be first Duke reserve tonight
Up next: Duke vs. Vermont. https://t.co/AmtqCHwgCF
College Basketball Over 133 Duke/Vermont
Duke enters the tournament on a two-game losing skid. Do you see Vermont finding a way into the Round Of 32? 🍿 https://t.co/BwuXs65syk