DURHAM, N.C. (Interstat) — The Duke women’s basketball team delivered a commanding performance Thursday night, overwhelming South Dakota State 97-54 at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils used a dominant first half to seize control and never looked back, improving their record to 5-6 while handing the Jackrabbits their third loss against 10 wins.

Duke’s offense operated with precision and balance from the opening tip, putting the game out of reach early. The Blue Devils erupted for 26 points in the first quarter and added 29 more in the second, building a 55-28 halftime lead. The defensive pressure was equally impactful, forcing numerous South Dakota State turnovers that fueled the relentless offensive attack.

The most important stretch of the game came in the opening quarter, where Duke established a tone of overwhelming control. After South Dakota State’s Brooklyn Meyer scored the game’s first basket, Duke responded with a decisive 24-4 run over the next nine minutes. The surge was fueled by a stifling defense that created transition opportunities and a fluid, multi-pronged offensive effort. The run featured contributions from across the lineup, including three-pointers from Ashlon Jackson and Taina Mair, interior baskets from Delaney Thomas, and capped by Jackson’s stepback jumper at the first-quarter buzzer for a 26-15 lead. This early explosion effectively decided the contest, as the Jackrabbits, who entered with a strong record, could not recover from the early deficit against Duke’s sustained intensity.

Toby Fournier led a contingent of six Blue Devils in double figures, scoring 20 points and adding three assists and a block. Taina Mair orchestrated the offense with 22 points and four assists, while Riley Nelson filled the stat sheet with 15 points and seven assists. Delaney Thomas contributed 11 points, Ashlon Jackson had 13 points and five assists, and Jordan Wood added 10 points. Duke’s ball movement was exceptional, leading to high-percentage shots throughout the night.

For South Dakota State, the lone consistent bright spot was forward Brooklyn Meyer. The 6-foot-2 junior from Larchwood, Iowa, battled inside for a game-high 27 points on efficient shooting, adding six rebounds in just 24 minutes of action. Guard Mahli Abdouch added seven points and three assists, but the Jackrabbits struggled to find any complementary scoring or rhythm against Duke’s defensive schemes.

The victory provided a significant boost for a Duke team that had faced a challenging early-season schedule, while it served as a stark reminder of the competition level for a South Dakota State squad that had won 10 of its first 12 games. An announced crowd of 1,329 at Cameron Indoor Stadium watched the Blue Devils put together their most complete performance of the young season.

Duke will look to build on the momentum quickly, traveling to face Belmont on Saturday. South Dakota State faces another tough test, returning home to host Texas on Sunday.