Taylor, Day-Wilson, de Jesus Lead Blue Devils to Victory over Clemson

Thursday, January 12

Durham, N.C.

7 p.m.

Duke University

15-1,5-0ACC

Clemson

11-7,2-4ACC

Clemson

Duke

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Taylor, Day-Wilson, de Jesus Lead Blue Devils to Victory over Clemson

1/12/2023 10:46:00 PM | Women's Basketball

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DURHAM – The 16th-ranked Duke women's basketball team finished the game with three players in double figures and kept the momentum rolling, picking up a 66-56 win over Clemson Thursday night at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Celeste Taylor tallied her 12th double-digit scoring output of the season as she led the charge for Duke (15-1, 5-0 ACC) with 19 points to go with three assists. Sophomore Shayeann Day-Wilson added 12 points and three assists while Vanessa de Jesus added 11 points and three rebounds off the bench.

Amari Robinson led a valiant effort for Clemson (11-7, 2-4 ACC) with 16 points and five boards.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Duke scored seven of the game's first nine points before Clemson answered with five of the next seven to pull within a pair at the 3:16 mark.
The Blue Devils were able to create some distance between themselves and the Tigers at the end of the period, using an old fashioned three-point play from Day-Wilson, a layup from Mia Heide and a de Jesus triple just before the buzzer to hold a 17-9 advantage after one.
Clemson fought its way back in the second quarter and knotted the game at 26-all with 1:06 to go in the opening half.
The Blue Devils held a 29-26 lead at the break with de Jesus cashing in a triple from the right slot with 34 seconds remaining in the quarter.
Duke opened the second half with threes by Taylor, Day-Wilson and Ashlon Jackson to push the margin to 38-30.
Clemson pulled within four on two separate occasions but never got any closer as the Blue Devils had an answer each time.
The home team received a pair of triples from Balogun and five combined free throws by de Jesus (3) and Taylor (2) to end the third period with a 53-44 advantage.
The fourth quarter opened with Reigan Richardson draining a pull-up jumper, Kennedy Brown adding a free throw and Taylor scoring in transition as Duke seized control and opened its largest lead of the game, 58-44.
Clemson attempted one final rally, but couldn't get any closer than seven points.
Duke hit six free throws down the stretch to polish off the 10-point win.

GAME NOTES

With the win, Duke improves to 15-1 overall, 5-0 in conference play and 8-0 at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils also push their winning streak to 10 games.
The Blue Devils' 15 wins in 16 games, along with their five consecutive wins to open conference action, mark program bests dating back to the 2013-14 campaign.
Duke finished the game with three in double figures – Taylor (19), Day-Wilson (12) and de Jesus (11).
Celeste Taylor scored double-digit points for the 12th time in 16 games.
Kennedy Brown matched her career high in blocks with five in the first half.
The Blue Devils assisted on 12 of their 21 made field goals.
Duke outscored the Tigers 20-11 off the bench and 12-4 on the fastbreak. The Blue Devils also held Clemson to six assists while forcing 20 Tiger turnovers.

UP NEXT:
Duke hits the road for its next two games, beginning with a trip to the Peach State for a date with Georgia Tech Sunday, Jan. 15. Tipoff is slated for 4 p.m., live on ACC Network.

To stay up to date with Duke women's basketball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWBB."

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