DURHAM, N.C. — Matthew Hurt poured in a career-high 26 points and No. 21 Duke defeated Wake Forest 79-68 on Saturday as coach Mike Krzyzewski returned to the sidelines after a one-game absence due to COVID-19 protocols.
Balanced Day For Hurt And Duke
Hurt, who leads the team in scoring this season, stepped up again to shot 10 of 15 from the field and made 4 for 7 from 3-pointers to go with his six rebounds, three steals and two assists.
Freshman guard DJ Steward added 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting with six rebounds and two blocks for the Blue Devils (5-2, 3-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), who shot 50.8% and made 31 shots on 17 assists.
Jordan Goldwire also contributed in the win for Duke, finishing with 14 points, five assists, five rebounds and three steals, while shooting 6 of 10 from the floor. Jeremy Roach contributed 12 points and Wendell Moore Jr. grabbed rebounds off the bench in the win for the Blue Devils, who controlled the boards 35-25.
Daivien Williamson and Ismael Massoud each scored 17 points to pace Wake Forest in the defeat.
Massoud also pulled down eight rebounds for the Demon Deacons (3-3, 0-3), who shot 45.8% and went just 6-for-20 from 3-pointers.
Watch Highlights
Saturday’s game saw Hall of Fame coach Krzyzewski returning to the coaching bench after he had missed Wednesday night’s narrow 83-82 victory win against Boston College.
Krzyzewski stayed away from the team after he and his wife were exposed to a family member who had tested positive for COVID-19.
He revealed that he and his wife’s tests both came back negative, but opted to quarantine as a precaution.
Duke will play its next three games on the road.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons will next host Louisville on Wednesday night for their first home ACC game this year.
The Duke Blue Devils will next travel to face No. 19 Virginia Tech on Tuesday night.
