NEW YORK (Interstat) — In a high-stakes early-season showdown at the Wellness, Recreation & Athletic Center, the Duke Blue Devils used a dominant first-half performance to hand the Kansas Jayhawks their second loss of the season, 78-66, on Tuesday night.

A crowd of 19,327 watched as the Blue Devils, playing with relentless efficiency, built a commanding 41-33 lead by halftime and never relinquished control, improving their record to 5-0. The Jayhawks, unable to mount a sustained comeback, fell to 3-2.

The game was decided in the opening period, where Duke’s offensive firepower proved overwhelming. The Blue Devils shot 48.3 percent from the floor in the first half and capitalized on their opportunities, while Kansas struggled to find an offensive rhythm, particularly from beyond the arc. The Jayhawks finished the game a frigid 4 of 21 from three-point range, a deficiency they could not overcome.

Duke’s victory was a product of superior offensive execution. Despite attempting two fewer field goals than Kansas, the Blue Devils were more effective, scoring 78 points on 68 possessions for an offensive rating of 114.1. Kansas, by contrast, managed an offensive rating of 100.5, scoring 66 points on 66 possessions. Duke also dominated at the free-throw line, making 17 of 26 attempts compared to Kansas’ 10 of 14.

The Blue Devils were led by a balanced and potent offensive attack. Cameron Boozer, a 6-foot-9 forward from Miami, Florida, stuffed the stat sheet with 18 points and five assists, consistently putting pressure on the Kansas defense. Isaiah Evans, a 6-foot-6 guard from Fayetteville, North Carolina, added 16 points, including a crucial three-pointer just before the halftime buzzer that extended Duke’s lead to eight and shifted the momentum firmly in their favor. Patrick Ngongba, a 6-foot-11 center from Manassas, Virginia, provided a strong interior presence with 13 points.

Kansas fought valiantly, led by the standout performance of Tre White. The 6-foot-7 Dallas native was the game’s leading scorer, pouring in 22 points and showcasing his versatility on both ends of the floor. Melvin Council, a 6-foot-4 guard from Rochester, New York, was a catalyst for the Jayhawks, contributing 15 points and a game-high six assists. Flory Bidunga, the 6-foot-9 big man from Kinshasa, Congo, anchored the paint with 14 points.

The Jayhawks managed to keep the game competitive by winning several key hustle categories. They outscored Duke 40-38 in the paint, 13-9 on fast breaks, and recorded more assists, steals, and blocks. However, their inability to connect from long range and Duke’s persistent ability to answer every Kansas run ultimately sealed their fate.

The game began at a frantic pace. Duke’s Cameron Boozer opened the scoring with a powerful dunk just 14 seconds in, setting the tone. Kansas responded with an early 7-0 run, capped by a Tre White driving layup, to take a brief lead. The teams traded baskets for the next several minutes, with the score tied at 10-10 midway through the first half.

From there, Duke began to methodically pull away. A 10-2 run, fueled by inside scoring and defensive stops, gave the Blue Devils a lead they would not surrender. Kansas cut the deficit to four points on multiple occasions, but each time Duke had an answer, often from Evans or Boozer. Evans’ three-pointer at the halftime horn was a demoralizing blow, sending the Blue Devils into the locker room with a 41-33 advantage.

The second half saw Kansas attempt to chip away at the lead. A Flory Bidunga dunk off a feed from Melvin Council brought the Jayhawks within six points early in the period. But Duke’s offense continued to operate with precision. A three-pointer from Cayden Boozer and a steady parade to the free-throw line allowed the Blue Devils to maintain a comfortable cushion, which fluctuated between eight and twelve points for the majority of the half.

Kansas made one final push in the closing minutes, cutting the lead to seven, but could get no closer. Duke closed the game out at the line, with Patrick Ngongba sinking two free throws in the final minute to ice the victory and provide the final margin.

The game unfolded largely as statistical models predicted, with Duke entering as a significant favorite. The total score of 144 fell short of the pregame over/under line of 150.

Kansas will look to rebound as they head to Las Vegas for a pair of games, facing Notre Dame on November 24 and Syracuse on November 25. Duke returns home to Cameron Indoor Stadium for its next contest, hosting Niagara on November 21.