DURHAM, N.C. (Interstat) — In a dominant display of efficiency and firepower, the Duke Blue Devils overwhelmed the Western Carolina Catamounts 95-54 in a non-conference men’s basketball game Saturday afternoon before a crowd of 9,314 at a raucous Cameron Indoor Stadium.

The Blue Devils, improving to 2-0, never trailed and used a 20-2 first-half run to build an insurmountable lead, taking a 45-21 advantage into halftime. Duke’s offense operated with surgical precision, scoring 95 points on 77 possessions for an offensive rating of 123.9. By contrast, Western Carolina managed an offensive rating of just 69.9 on the same number of possessions, shooting a frigid 30.6 percent from the floor.

Duke’s victory was fueled by a balanced scoring attack and superior execution in nearly every facet of the game. The Blue Devils shot 46.9 percent from the field and connected on 10 three-pointers. They also capitalized at the free-throw line, making 25 of 33 attempts, and dominated in transition, outscoring the Catamounts 20-8 in fastbreak points.

Sophomore forward Cameron Boozer led all scorers with 25 points, showcasing his versatility by adding eight rebounds and five assists in just 23 minutes of action. His twin brother, guard Cayden Boozer, filled the stat sheet with 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

The Blue Devils’ size and length in the frontcourt proved too much for the visiting Catamounts. Center Patrick Ngongba contributed 10 points and seven rebounds, while forward Maliq Brown also chipped in 10 points. Caleb Foster narrowly missed double figures with nine points, six rebounds and four assists.

Western Carolina, which fell to 0-2, was led by Julien Soumaoro with 14 points. Abdulai Fanta Kabba and Marcus Kell provided bright spots, with Kabba scoring 10 points and grabbing seven rebounds, and Kell adding 11 points and seven boards. The Catamounts struggled mightily from beyond the arc, making only 4 of 26 three-point attempts, and committed 13 turnovers which Duke converted into 21 points.

The game’s outcome was never in doubt after Duke’s explosive first-half run established a commanding lead. The Blue Devils continued to apply pressure in the second half, outscoring Western Carolina 50-33 to seal the 41-point victory.

Duke next travels to face Army on Tuesday. Western Carolina returns home to host Voorhees on Thursday, still in search of its first win of the season.