Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

No. 7 Duke cruises to huge win over Syracuse behind trio of stars

By Jordan Wolf | Last updated 2/26/22

Duke went in to Syracuse on Saturday with a one-game lead in the ACC, entering a dangerous road environment with the potential to lose hold of the conference.

It became clear pretty quick that that wasn't going to happen, though.

The seventh-ranked Blue Devils rolled to a 97-72 victory over the Orange, improving to 15-3 in ACC with just two conference games remaining. Syracuse never held a lead in the game.

Leading the way for Duke was its three usual suspects: Paolo Banchero, Mark Williams and AJ Griffin, who combined for 69 points. According to ESPN Stats & Info, they became the first trio to all score 20-plus in a game since Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish did so in 2018, and the first to do so in a conference game since Quinn Cook, Seth Curry and Mason Plumlee in 2013.

Paolo Banchero, Mark Williams, and AJ Griffin are the first @DukeMBB trio to each score 20 points in a game since Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, and Cam Reddish, who as a group did so twice in November 2018. pic.twitter.com/H25PU7YmBw
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 27, 2022

Duke took full control of things early and never looked back, jumping out to a 14-0 lead less than five minutes into the game. They had 31 points before Syracuse even reached double digits, and ended the first half up 51-34.

The second half was closer, although Duke likely let off the gas a bit. The game was never really close, and Duke subbed in its walk-ons with a few minutes left to go.

Williams led all scorers with 28 and grabbed 12 rebounds as well. Banchero had 21 points and nine assists, and Griffin added 20 points on 6-for-10 from beyond the arc.

Buddy Boeheim led Syracuse with 23 points. Joseph Girard III added 18 points and Benny Williams logged 14 points and six rebounds.

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