Duke Dominates Baylor 69-46 in NCAA Tournament

Duke Blue Devils Cruise Past Baylor Bears to Reach Sweet 16

Durham, NC – The air inside Cameron Indoor Stadium buzzed with excitement on a beautiful spring day, but the real action was on the court as the third-seeded Duke Blue Devils faced off against the sixth-seeded Baylor Bears in a highly anticipated second-round NCAA Tournament matchup. Duke showcased a dominant performance, securing a commanding 69-46 victory and punching their ticket to the Sweet 16 for the third consecutive year.

Early Offensive Firepower for the Blue Devils

From the opening tip, Duke’s offense looked sharp. Delaney Thomas quickly made her presence felt, scoring six of Duke’s first seven points. Her ability to get to the basket was a key factor, as she added to her 15 points from Friday’s win against Nebraska. The Blue Devils’ frontcourt, described as formidable and filled with elite, versatile athletes, proved tough for Baylor to handle. While Toby Forier is a known threat, it was Thomas who provided an early spark for Duke.

Baylor struggled to find their offensive rhythm in the early going, finally getting on the board through Duriana Little Paige Bugs. The Bears, who were in the Sweet 16 just two years prior, seemed to be battling turnovers and difficulties getting shots to fall. Duke’s aggressive play and strong interior passing, spearheaded by veterans like Ashlyn Jackson, helped them build an early lead. The Blue Devils took 11 more shots than Baylor in the first quarter, a testament to their ability to control the pace and create opportunities.

Forier and Robertson Step Up in Crucial Moments

Despite the early offensive struggles, Baylor showed flashes of their potential. Little Paige Bugs, a player known for her reliability, eventually found her scoring touch. However, Duke’s defense, particularly their length with players often over six feet tall, made it challenging for the Bears to get clean looks. The veteran connection between Little Paige Bugs and Johnson was evident, though Baylor missed Johnson’s scoring threat after she tore her ACL in practice.

As the game progressed into the third quarter, Duke faced a challenge with Forier getting into foul trouble. This opened the door for freshman Markayla Robertson to step into a larger role. Robertson, who missed her freshman season due to injury, has been a bright spot for Duke this year, earning a spot on the All-ACC Freshman team. She delivered a strong performance, contributing significantly to Duke’s offense and helping them build a 6-0 run over a minute and change.

Duke’s Consistent Execution Seals the Win

Duke’s ability to move the ball and search for great shots, rather than just good ones, was a key to their success. Players like Jackson and Robertson consistently found open looks, with Robertson adding a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. The Blue Devils’ transition game also proved effective, with several run-out opportunities that extended their lead. This consistent execution and focus on quality shots contrasted with Baylor’s struggles, which at times appeared to involve a lot of one-on-one play and 14 turnovers.

“Duke moves the ball so well. They are continuously looking for a great shot, not a good shot.”

In the final minutes, Duke continued to control the game. Riley Nelson contributed five points in the fourth quarter, showing her readiness to contribute. Forier, despite picking up her fifth foul, had already made a significant impact. The crowd at Cameron Indoor Stadium showed their appreciation for the Blue Devils, sensing a deep tournament run.

Looking Ahead: Sweet 16 and Beyond

With the decisive 69-46 victory, Duke advances to the Sweet 16. This marks their third consecutive appearance in the regional semifinals, continuing the momentum from their Elite Eight run last year. The Blue Devils will look to build on this dominant performance as the competition intensifies. For Baylor, the season concludes with this second-round exit. Despite the loss, the team showed resilience and glimpses of their talent throughout the tournament. The Duke Blue Devils, however, are clearly focused on making another deep March run.

Source: Round of 32: Baylor Bears vs. Duke Blue Devils | Full Game Highlights | NCAA Tournament (YouTube)