Joey Baker Brilliant As Duke Beats Fort Valley State In Exhibition Finale

Last season Joey Baker wasn’t on the court during a game much until late in the season due to his former teammate Zion Williamson’s injury who is now a member of the New Orleans Pelicans of the NBA.

To closeout Duke’s exhibition slate against Fort Valley State this season he was and the forward from Fayetteville North Carolina contributed.

Joey Baker poured in a game-high 22 points on 6-of-8 shooting from three-point range. Freshman Matthew Hurt added 19 points, while classmate Cassius Stanley had 16 points and five rebounds. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/10/30/mens-basketball-no-4-duke-tops-fort-valley-state-126-57.aspx?path=mbball

Freshman Wendell Moore Jr. tallied 15 points and classmate Vernon Carey Jr. collected a game-high eight rebounds, added 11 points and three steals. Junior Jordan Goldwire dished out a game-best eight assists and had a game-high five steals. Goldwire totaled nine steals over Duke's two exhibition games.”according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/10/30/mens-basketball-no-4-duke-tops-fort-valley-state-126-57.aspx?path=mbball

Duke opened the contest scoring the game's first 17 points and went into the first media timeout up 19-2. The Blue Devils led 35-12 at the 10-minute mark and ended the first half with a 67-28 advantage. Duke shot 63.6 percent (28-44) in the first half and was led by Baker and Hurt, with 15 each. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/10/30/mens-basketball-no-4-duke-tops-fort-valley-state-126-57.aspx?path=mbball

The Blue Devils outscored the Wildcats 59-29 in the second half and knocked down seven three pointers en route to the 69-point victory. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/10/30/mens-basketball-no-4-duke-tops-fort-valley-state-126-57.aspx?path=mbball

For the game, Duke shot 61 percent from the floor, gathered 43 rebounds and dished out 29 assists. Duke also hit on 13-of-28 from downtown. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/10/30/mens-basketball-no-4-duke-tops-fort-valley-state-126-57.aspx?path=mbball

While Duke got the win, Fort Valley State meanwhile had a setback.

The Wildcats gained their footing and twice pulled to within 14 points, 24-10 and 26-12, on a Thomas Hardy fastbreak lay in and a Gregory Holloway put back. It was Duke's night from there as it used its size advantage and reach to take control for good.
D'Angelo Strickland netted a team-high 10 points on 5 of 6 shooting and added three rebounds and three blocked shots. “according to https://fvsusports.com/news/2019/10/30/no-4-duke-prevails-in-mens-basketball-exhibition-over-fvsu.aspx

Duke forced FVSU into a gaudy 36 turnover night, swiped 24 passes, and shot 61-percent from the floor (50 of 82). “according to https://fvsusports.com/news/2019/10/30/no-4-duke-prevails-in-mens-basketball-exhibition-over-fvsu.aspx “according to https://fvsusports.com/news/2019/10/30/no-4-duke-prevails-in-mens-basketball-exhibition-over-fvsu.aspx

Freshman Tristan Davis chipped in nine points and two steals, while Malik Clark added eight points, including a pair of 3-pointers.”according to https://fvsusports.com/news/2019/10/30/no-4-duke-prevails-in-mens-basketball-exhibition-over-fvsu.aspx

Duke will now turn their attention to preparing for their season opener against Kansas where they will look to erase a memory that had them cut short of returning to Final Four Grayson Allen’s senior year at Duke. The guard is now in the NBA as a member of the Memphis Grizzles where he is reunited with former Duke teammate Tyus Jones.