The No. 7 ranked Duke Blue Devils got a blowout win on Tuesday night against the Big South’s Gardner-Webb Bulldogs, 92-52. Paolo Banchero started for the Blue Devils just two days after he was cited for aiding and abetting impaired driving. He had a strong game considering the circumstances, with 10 points and eight rebounds.
Banchero, a first year player, who was selected as the ACC Preseason Player of the Year, was detained by state troopers early Sunday morning in nearby Hillsborough, N.C. along with teammate Michael Savarino, who is Duke’s head coach Mike Krzyewski’s grandson.
According to court documents, Savarino was driving Banchero’s white Jeep, and was arrested for driving while impaired. Banchero, who was in the back seat, was cited at the scene and released.
Savarino was not in the game against Gardner-Webb (0-3), while Banchero was on the floor for 26 minutes.
Over the first eight minutes of the game, Duke was struggling. Its offense looked out of whack and its defense gave up easy baskets in the paint area to Gardner-Webb. Then the Blue Devils turned it on, and played their best game so far this season.
Duke was down by one, 13-12, at the 12 minute mark. Then sophomore point guard Jeremy Roach connected with center Mark Williams for an easy dunk. They then went on a 35-11 run to build a comfortable lead for the remainder of the half. At the end of the half, Duke led by 20, 47-27.
The Blue Devils never gave up the lead again and in the second half, they led by as many as 42 points.
Freshman guard Trevor Keels led Duke with 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists. He was also 4-of-6 from 3-point range. Sophomore center Mark Williams had a career-high six rejections along with 13 points. Wendell Moore contributed 14 points. Forward Joey Baker scored 12 and Jeremy Roach had 10.
Junior guard Lance Terry scored 15 points to lead Gardner-Webb. Junior forward Kareem Reid followed suit with 14 points of his own. Sophomore guard Anthony Sheldon came off the bench and added 9 points and 6 rebounds.
Gardner-Webb will host Carver College of the NCCAA on Saturday. Duke will play their fourth of five home games on Friday against Lafayette.
