Duke Opens Season With 84-50 Win Over Army

Dame Sarr posted 16 points, with first-year player Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje contributing 15 in Duke’s season-opening victory. Patrick Ngongba II had 10 points, while Kevin McCarthy led Army with 17.

Duke jumped ahead 12-0 and scored 50 points in the paint. Army struggled to find a rhythm and finished with 24 turnovers. Boumtje Boumtje also had seven rebounds and three blocks in his collegiate debut.

After Duke went 0-for-9 from three-point range in the first half, the Blue Devils made four shots from beyond the arc. Their streak of games with at least one three-pointer reached 1,303, dating back nearly 37 years. Duke also outscored Army 22-6 at the free-throw line.

An 11-0 run to start the second half pushed Duke’s lead to 44-18. Army answered with 12 straight points, including four three-pointers, but could not make the game close.

Duke’s guards included starter Cayden Boozer, Caleb Foster and freshman Deron Rippey Jr. The team also had stretches of uneven offense, with Army’s zone defense causing trouble and Duke committing some turnovers. Duke hosts Coastal Carolina on Thursday; Army hosts Mount St. Mary’s that night.