EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Like the ACC Tournament, New Jersey brings out the best in Duke.
The Blue Devils beat Xavier 82-64 at their home away from home in north Jersey.
Duke improved to 18-1 at the Meadowlands behind Jon Scheyer's game-high 23 points.
The sixth-ranked Devils jumped out to an 18-1 lead before No. 7 Xavier started to push back. The Musketeers didn't hit a field goal until the 14:16 mark.
Scheyer led a 3-point clinic, hitting 5 of 7 attempts and three in the first 4 minutes as Duke sprinted out to the lead.
The Musketeers (9-1) shot 61.5 percent in the second half but still could only put a dent in Duke's 55-24 halftime advantage.
Derrick Brown led Xavier with 18 points.
Duke got inside scoring to supplement its 3-point barrage. Brian Zoubek (nine points) and Lance Thomas (seven) combined for 16 points and seven rebounds.
Kyle Singler had a productive day for the Devils with nine points, eight rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks.
