Staff photo by Chuck Liddy
DURHAM — Duke successfully completed a stretch of six games in 14 days by beating Montana 78-58 at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Sunday. Nolan Smith and Gerald Henderson scored 14 points and Kyle Singler added 13 points to help the 10th-ranked Devils stay undefeated.
Duke's defense started making its move with 11:40 left in the half, forcing six turnovers in the next six minutes and scoring on each one to build a 47-28 halftime cushion.
In case you've been ignoring Duke so far this season, Singler has been playing like a star. During that six-minute 23-7 Duke run, the 2K Sports Classic MVP stole a pass and took it the other way for two, a foul, and a free throw. On Duke's next touch, Singler attacked the rim off the baseline for a baby hook and two more.
Then Smith, in his first season playing the point fulltime, took over. Smith, after getting pulled out and having a little tutorial with Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski on the sideline, came back in and scored Duke's next five baskets. On the last one, Smith hit a fade-away 3 from 22 feet as the shot clock wound down.
Duke is channeling the Michigan Wolverines circa 1992-93. (Am I even allowed to call the Fab Five Wolverines? Aren't they banned in Ann Arbor?) Anyway, the Blue Devils are wearing black socks and kicks.
