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BASKETBALL

Duke Storms Past St. John's In Durham

A season ago Duke was topped by St. John’s in the Worlds Most Famous Arena known as Madison Square Garden by a score of 81-77.

This season however, that wasn’t the case as Duke beat Saint John’s handily in the confines of Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Freshman phenom Zion Williamson scored 29 points, Tre Jones flirted with a triple-double and No. 2 Duke routed St. John's 91-61 on Saturday. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211788743&DB_OEM_ID=4200

RJ Barrett added 15 points and 14 rebounds while Jones had 13 points, seven rebounds and seven assists while also playing lockdown defense on Shamorie Ponds. The Blue Devils (19-2) shot 56 percent while winning their fifth straight. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211788743&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Williamson stuffed the stat sheet in this one -- hitting 13 of 17 shots while finishing with five steals, two blocks and a couple of his customary highlight-reel dunks. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211788743&DB_OEM_ID=4200

He scored 12 points -- all either at the rim or the free-throw line -- during the 26-6 run that bridged the halves and pushed the lead into the 20s. Cameron Reddish capped the run with his fourth 3 of the game, making it 61-39 with about 16 1/2 minutes left. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211788743&DB_OEM_ID=4200

LJ Figueroa had 14 points and Marvin Clark II added 12 for the Red Storm (16-6), who fell behind by 20 points before they hit a shot in the second half while losing their third in four games. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211788743&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Ponds, the hero of last year's upset win over Duke and a 20.9-point scorer, had all 11 of his in the second half. He faced relentless pressure all day from Jones, and a couple of his five turnovers led directly to breakaway dunks by Williamson. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211788743&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Duke returns to the hardwood on Tuesday night when they host Boston College.