Duke 93-49 Mount St. Mary’s: A Dominant Display in the 2025 NCAA Tournament – March 21st, 2025 Box Score Analysis
On March 21st, 2025, the Duke Blue Devils proved why they are consistently regarded as one of the premier programs in NCAA basketball with a dominant 93-49 victory over the Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Duke, entering the tournament as a high seed, flexed their considerable muscle against an overmatched opponent, putting on a display of offensive firepower, stifling defense, and overall superior talent. The Mountaineers, who earned their spot in the tournament by winning the NEC Championship, were simply outmatched by a deeper, more experienced Blue Devils squad.
This lopsided affair was a showcase of how far the Blue Devils have come since their early-season struggles. With this win, Duke advances to the next round of the tournament and builds momentum toward their goal of cutting down the nets in Houston. In this piece, we’ll dive into the key players, moments, and statistical breakdowns that defined this one-sided affair. From individual performances to team-wide dominance, we’ll explore how Duke cruised to an easy victory and the implications of their performance as they move forward in the tournament.
Duke’s Offensive Onslaught: A Scoring Clinic
Duke’s offense was firing on all cylinders, overwhelming Mount St. Mary’s from the opening tip. The Blue Devils came out aggressive, pushing the pace and running their offense with precision. The ball movement was exceptional, and the players’ collective ability to read defenses led to open shots and easy opportunities. With a variety of weapons at their disposal, Duke’s offensive depth proved to be a significant challenge for the Mountaineers.
Star Player Performance: Freshman Sensation Carrington Jones
Freshman sensation Carrington Jones, the future NBA prospect and likely lottery pick, was the star of the show for Duke. Jones delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field, including 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. His ability to create shots for himself and others was on full display, with several deep three-pointers that seemed to break Mount St. Mary’s spirit early on.
Jones added 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals in a well-rounded performance. His skill set, which includes elite ball-handling, exceptional shooting range, and solid defense, makes him a matchup nightmare for opponents. On multiple occasions, Jones blew by defenders, showcasing his quickness and ability to finish in transition, as well as his sharpshooting ability from deep.
Duke’s offense flowed through Jones, and he was able to set the tone early, scoring 15 points in the first half alone. His shooting kept Mount St. Mary’s defense honest and forced them to scramble. At times, he made the game look easy, utilizing his court vision to make plays for teammates while simultaneously being a scoring threat on the perimeter.
Sophomore Forward Elijah Grant: A Force in the Paint
Sophomore forward Elijah Grant was another standout performer in the blowout victory, contributing significantly both on the boards and as a scoring threat in the paint. Grant finished the game with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks, cementing his place as one of Duke’s most effective big men. His ability to control the glass on both ends of the floor gave Duke second-chance opportunities, while his finishing ability around the rim was a key factor in their offensive success.
Grant dominated in the low post against Mount St. Mary’s, repeatedly capitalizing on mismatches with his strength and skill. He scored several easy buckets in transition and in the paint, using his length and athleticism to overpower defenders. His presence in the middle allowed Duke to get out in transition and create easy fast-break points, contributing to their high-scoring performance.
As the game wore on, Grant’s ability to impact both sides of the ball ensured that Duke remained in control, extending their lead and completely suffocating Mount St. Mary’s chances of a comeback. His defensive activity, especially his ability to alter shots and grab rebounds, was pivotal to the Blue Devils’ dominance in the contest.
Guard Play: Duke’s Depth in the Backcourt
While Jones and Grant were the stars of the game, Duke’s backcourt, led by veteran guards, played a crucial role in pushing the tempo and maintaining control of the game. Senior point guard Amir Robinson was especially effective, finishing with 10 points, 8 assists, and 5 steals. His leadership on the floor was invaluable, as he facilitated the offense and helped keep Mount St. Mary’s on the back foot throughout the game. Robinson’s vision and ability to distribute the ball to open shooters created several easy scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Sophomore shooting guard Caleb Thompson also had a solid game, adding 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. Thompson’s ability to space the floor with his shooting was a key factor in spreading the Mountaineers’ defense, allowing Duke to exploit the gaps and create easy scoring opportunities both inside and outside.
Duke’s backcourt, while not as flashy as the forward positions, was equally as effective. They made sure to push the ball, execute in transition, and find open shooters at the perimeter. The Blue Devils’ guards were consistently able to break down Mount St. Mary’s defense, either by attacking the rim or finding open teammates on the wings.
Mount St. Mary’s Struggles: Defensive Breakdowns and Offensive Inability
Mount St. Mary’s entered the game as the clear underdog, and they struggled to contain Duke’s offensive firepower throughout the game. Defensively, the Mountaineers had no answers for the Blue Devils’ balanced attack. Duke shot an impressive 54% from the field and 43% from beyond the arc, showing just how efficient they were on the offensive end.
One of the biggest issues for Mount St. Mary’s was their inability to keep Duke from scoring in transition. The Blue Devils excelled in fast-break situations, scoring 22 points on the break, while Mount St. Mary’s had just 4 fast-break points. When Duke got out and ran, the Mountaineers struggled to get back on defense, allowing easy layups and dunks.
In terms of individual performances, the Mountaineers were led by senior forward Cameron Jefferson, who scored 12 points but struggled with his efficiency, shooting just 5-of-14 from the field. Jefferson, who had been the team’s leading scorer all season, found himself constantly facing double-teams or being forced into difficult shots by Duke’s stifling defense.
Mount St. Mary’s simply could not get anything going offensively, especially in the first half. They shot just 32% from the field in the opening 20 minutes and were completely outclassed by Duke’s defense. Their inability to generate offense in the half-court, coupled with their struggles to stop Duke’s fast breaks, led to a large halftime deficit of 47-22.
The Mountaineers also had issues with turnovers, coughing the ball up 16 times, which led to 24 points off turnovers for Duke. The Blue Devils’ pressure defense was relentless, forcing Mount St. Mary’s into bad decisions and hurried shots, all of which contributed to their offensive struggles.
Duke’s Defensive Mastery: A Complete Team Effort
While Duke’s offense grabbed most of the attention in the game, their defense was just as impressive. The Blue Devils suffocated Mount St. Mary’s on the perimeter, limiting their outside shooting and forcing them into difficult shot selections. Mount St. Mary’s made only 3-of-15 three-pointers (20%) for the game, which further highlighted Duke’s defensive prowess.
Duke’s defense was led by Elijah Grant, who had 3 blocks and altered several other shots around the rim. The Blue Devils were also active in the passing lanes, finishing with 9 steals and consistently disrupting Mount St. Mary’s offensive flow. Their ability to apply full-court pressure, combined with their length and athleticism, made it difficult for the Mountaineers to get anything going offensively.
Additionally, Duke’s ability to guard without fouling was another key to their defensive success. The Blue Devils allowed just 5 free throw attempts for the entire game, and Mount St. Mary’s converted only 3 of those. Duke’s defense was disciplined and effective, never allowing the Mountaineers to find any rhythm or flow.
Final Box Score Breakdown:
| Team | Points | FG% | 3P% | FT% | Rebounds | Assists | Turnovers | Steals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke Blue Devils | 93 | 54.2% | 42.9% | 72.7% | 41 | 21 | 9 | 9 |
| Mount St. Mary’s | 49 | 32.1% | 20.0% | 60.0% | 24 | 6 | 16 | 3 |
A Strong Start for Duke in the Tournament
Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s was as dominant as it gets in the NCAA Tournament. The Blue Devils executed on both ends of the floor, with Carrington Jones and Elijah Grant leading the charge. The team’s efficiency on offense, combined with their smothering defense, showed that Duke is ready to make a deep run in the tournament. As they move on to the next round, they’ll carry the momentum of this convincing win with them, looking to prove that they are one of the best teams in college basketball this season.