McCain nets 35, ties Zion’s Duke freshman record
Feb 17, 2024, 05:29 PM ET
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.– Jared McCain set a Duke freshman record with eight 3-pointers and matched a school freshman mark with 35 points as the No. 9 Blue Devils beat Florida State 76-67 on Saturday.McCain struck 7 3-pointers in the very first half and shot 60 %general( 12-for-20 ), consisting of 8-for-11 from long distance in his seventh game scoring 20 or more points. His point overall tied Zion Williamson’s 35-point performance against Syracuse in 2019.”That’s crazy,”McCain said.
“That’s nuts. I simply thank God. … It’s wild company to be with.”
Seminoles coach Leonard Hamilton was comfortable with his club’s defense versus McCain, eventually chalking the efficiency as much as an opponent having a minute.
“It seems as though every group will have a player, or a number of players, that are capable of going off for big numbers, against you,” Hamilton said. “And I believed our protective tactical plan, for the most part, was fine.
“However everybody who have played basketball, appears to have had one of those nights where they can’t miss, no matter how you’re protected. And I believed McCain had among those nights.”
McCain’s accuracy from 3-point variety was a surprise. The 6-foot-3 guard had actually made an overall of seven 3-pointers in his 4 games.Editor’s Picks 2 Related”It was an excellent win for us; they’re a hazardous group. They make it difficult to run your offense,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer stated.” Jared, it’s quite unique what he did, entering this atmosphere as a freshman. It was just an actually unique performance.” Jeremy Roach scored 15 points as Duke(20-5, 11-3 Atlantic Coast Conference )won its fourth straight game. Heaven Devils have 20 or more wins for a 27th straight season. Kyle Filipowski had eight points and 8 rebounds, helping Duke to a 35-22 edge in rebounds.Jamir Watkins scored 15 points, his 11th straight game in double figures
for Florida State(13-12, 7-7 ), which has actually lost three straight and 5 of six.Even without Tyrese Proctor, heaven Devils took a 19-16 lead on a McCain 3-pointer with 13:04 left in the very first half and never ever recalled. They won for the eighth time in 9 games in Tallahassee.The Associated Press added to this report.