DURHAM, N.C. (Interstat) — The Duke women’s basketball team delivered a defensive masterclass, overwhelming SMU from the opening tip in a lopsided 95-36 victory Sunday afternoon at a sold-out Cameron Indoor Stadium.

The game was effectively decided in the first quarter, as the Blue Devils established a dominant 24-6 lead. Duke’s suffocating defense set the tone, forcing the Mustangs into a series of early turnovers and contested shots. SMU managed just 13 made field goals for the entire game, shooting a frigid 22.8 percent from the floor. The Mustangs’ offensive struggles were encapsulated by an offensive rating of 47.2 points per 100 possessions, a figure dwarfed by Duke’s efficient 114.9.

The most important stretch of the game came during a decisive 19-0 run that spanned the end of the first quarter and the beginning of the second, turning a 13-6 contest into a 32-6 chasm from which SMU never recovered. The run featured relentless defensive pressure, leading to transition opportunities and easy baskets inside. Duke finished the game with 15 steals and 10 blocked shots, directly contributing to 24 SMU turnovers.

Arianna Roberson, a 6-foot-4 sophomore from San Antonio, Texas, was the game’s standout performer, posting a dominant double-double of 22 points and 16 rebounds in just 25 minutes. She added two assists, two blocks and was a constant disruptive force defensively, anchoring the paint for the Blue Devils.

She was complemented by a stellar all-around effort from Toby Fournier, who scored a game-high 26 points on efficient interior shooting. Ashlon Jackson orchestrated the offense with precision, dishing out 10 assists to go with 11 points, while Delaney Thomas controlled the glass with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Taina Mair facilitated with nine assists and a game-high five steals.

For SMU, which fell to 8-16 overall, the offensive woes were team-wide. Grace Hall led the Mustangs with nine points and seven rebounds, while Miriam Ibezim added seven points and five rebounds. The Mustangs were held to single-digit scoring in three of the four quarters and never threatened after Duke’s initial surge.

The Blue Devils, who improved to 18-6, showcased their depth and defensive identity, holding an opponent under 40 points for the third time this season. The victory was a comprehensive display of power on both ends of the floor, with Duke outrebounding SMU 53-34 and assisting on 15 of their 39 made field goals.

The announced attendance of 3,664 at Cameron Indoor Stadium watched as Duke methodically extended its lead each quarter, culminating in a 30-point third period that put the game fully out of reach. The Blue Devils shot 52 percent from the field and consistently generated high-percentage looks against an overmatched SMU defense.

Duke will look to carry this momentum into a pivotal stretch of Atlantic Coast Conference play, beginning with a home matchup against North Carolina next Sunday. SMU, continuing a difficult inaugural ACC schedule, travels to face North Carolina on Thursday.