S³ SWEET SCIENCE SPORTS | NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL
FINAL
Coastal Carolina52
0–2
Duke113
2–0
Duke didn't just beat Coastal Carolina. The Blue Devils overwhelmed them in practically every phase of basketball.
Duke improved to 2–0 with a 113–52 victory, shooting 61% from the field, 50% from three-point range and outrebounding the Chanticleers by 26.
Patrick Ngongba II led the offense with 28 points, while Cayden Boozer orchestrated the attack with 12 assists.
S³ Game Standouts
Patrick Ngongba II | C
28 PTS · 10–13 FG
2–3 3PT | 6–10 FT | 25 MIN
Ngongba dominated offensively, converting 76.9% of his field-goal attempts.
Cayden Boozer | PG
11 PTS · 12 AST
5–6 FG | 22 MIN
Boozer's playmaking was one of Duke's most encouraging developments. He distributed the ball while taking only six shots.
Dame Sarr | Duke
12 PTS · 4 STL
4–4 FG | 23 MIN
Sarr contributed efficient scoring and defensive pressure.
Other notable contributors included John Blackwell with 15 points, Sebastian Wilkins with 11 rebounds, and Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje with three blocks.
S³ Team Statistics
| Category | Coastal Carolina | Duke |
|---|---|---|
| FG% | 30% | 61% |
| 3PT% | 18% | 50% |
| FT% | 59% | 63% |
| Rebounds | 27 | 53 |
| Assists | 8 | 25 |
| Steals | 10 | 12 |
| Blocks | 6 | 9 |
| Turnovers | 17 | 15 |
| Points off turnovers | 6 | 27 |
| Fast-break points | 11 | 27 |
| Paint points | 26 | 52 |
S³ Analysis
1. Duke's ball movement was exceptional
The Blue Devils recorded 25 assists on 38 made field goals. That's an assist rate of nearly 66%.
That is the kind of offensive distribution that makes a team difficult to defend. Cayden Boozer's 12 assists were especially encouraging.
2. Interior domination
Duke's 53–27 rebounding advantage was massive. The Blue Devils also doubled Coastal Carolina in points in the paint, 52–26.
Ngongba's offensive efficiency demonstrated just how difficult Duke's frontcourt could become to defend.
3. Defensive pressure created offense
Duke scored 27 points off turnovers while allowing just six. That 21-point advantage helped turn an already lopsided matchup into a blowout.
The Blue Devils also registered nine blocked shots.
4. The one weakness: free-throw shooting
Duke made only 26 of its 41 free-throw attempts, shooting 63%.
That percentage needs improvement. Against stronger competition, leaving 15 potential points at the line could become costly.
S³ Final Assessment
Duke's 61-point victory showcased a balanced team with scoring efficiency, rebounding, defensive activity and outstanding ball movement.
Two performances deserve particular attention: Ngongba's offensive efficiency and Cayden Boozer's ability to facilitate without dominating possessions.
The opposition matters, and Coastal Carolina was clearly overmatched. Still, Duke demonstrated the kind of basketball foundation that can translate against better teams.
S³ Verdict: The Blue Devils have impressive early-season talent, but the real evaluation begins when opponents can challenge their size, disrupt their offensive rhythm and force them into tougher possessions.
S³ | Where Intelligence Meets Impact
