Duke University dominated Tennessee in a decisive 103-64 victory during an exhibition game. The contest saw Duke establish an early lead, with both teams quickly scoring to tie at 2-2, but Duke's offense surged ahead. By the 15-minute mark in the first half, Duke had extended its lead to 9-2, capitalizing on Tennessee's struggles to score. Tennessee faced additional setbacks, including an injury to Terrence Hill Jr., who appeared to be in significant pain with an ankle issue.
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As the first half progressed, Duke firmly controlled the game, with Juke Harris leading the charge. With just seconds remaining in the half, Duke added to its score with two successful free throws, while Troy Henderson of Tennessee managed to make a half-court buzzer-beater.
The second half began with Tennessee attempting to regroup but still falling short. Dai Dai Ames and Jalen Haralson showed some promise for the Vols, but Duke maintained a commanding presence on the court, dominating the rebounds and pushing their lead to nearly 40 points as Jalen Haralson fouled out.
Despite occasional flashes from Tennessee, including Marquis Clark's decent performance, the team struggled to contain Duke. The game ended with Tennessee unable to close the gap, showcasing the challenges they face ahead of the regular season set to begin in early November.
Rick Barnes, Tennessee's head coach, reflected on the performance, noting the team's need to better learn defensive strategies and rebounding techniques. He acknowledged that although they are eager to improve, they are still figuring out how to gel as a team, particularly with lingering injuries affecting player availability.