Williamson's 29 leads No. 2 Duke to 91-61 rout of St. John's
AP
Feb 02, 2019
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) Zion Williamson stole the ball and soared for dunks. He blocked shots with authority. And once again, he scored points in bunches.
In other words, just a typical game for Duke Blue Devils's must-see freshman phenom.
Williamson scored 29 points in the second-ranked Blue Devils' 91-61 rout of St. John's Red Storm on Saturday while creating the latest set of highlights for the most visible player on arguably the nation's most visible team.
''Nobody has brought in the exposure that he brought in,'' Krzyzewski said, pointing to Williamson's 2.3 million followers on Instagram. ''When does that happen? It may never happen, and it's happening for him. And we are such high profile. Everything is looked at closely, and his excellent play is looked at by everybody.
''And the thing about that kid is, he doesn't want all that attention, and he handles it so well,'' he added. ''We have a good group, so I'm not sure many groups would handle it the same way.''
Tre Jones flirted with a triple-double with 13 points, seven rebounds and seven assists while playing lockdown defense on Shamorie Ponds. And RJ Barrett added 15 points and 14 rebounds for the Blue Devils (19-2), who shot 56 percent while winning their fifth straight.
Williamson stuffed the stat sheet in this one - hitting 13 of 17 shots while finishing with five steals, two blocks and a couple of his customary highlight-reel dunks.
He scored 12 points - all either at the rim or the free-throw line - during the 26-6 run that bridged the halves and pushed the lead into the 20s. Cameron Reddish capped the run with his fourth 3 of the game, making it 61-39 with about 16 1/2 minutes left.
LJ Figueroa had 14 points and Marvin Clark II added 12 for the Red Storm (16-6), who fell behind by 20 points before they hit a shot in the second half while losing their third in four games.
Ponds, the hero of last year's upset win over Duke and a 20.9-point scorer, had all 11 of his in the second half.
''I knew that he was a key to their team,'' Jones said. ''So for myself, I knew that I had to come out stronger than him and set the tone early for our entire team.''
Ponds faced relentless pressure all day from Jones, and a couple of his five turnovers led directly to breakaway dunks by Williamson.
''We had live-ball turnovers that, to me, just turned the game, turned the whole atmosphere of the game,'' coach Chris Mullin said.
BIG PICTURE
St. John's: The Red Storm knocked off one Duke team full of one-and-done freshmen - stunning last year's group 81-77 in Madison Square Garden behind 33 points from Ponds - but with Jones neutralizing him this time, they couldn't do it again. If nothing else, though, they're still the answer to a trivia question: St. John's was the last non-ACC team to beat Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium, pulling it off in 2000.
Duke: The Blue Devils' 3-point shooting remains an enigma. Duke entered shooting just 31 percent from long distance - the worst percentage in school history - even after a 10-for-19 performance five nights earlier at Notre Dame. The Blue Devils promptly made their first four 3s against the Red Storm's 2-3 zone - and then hit just 3 of 22 after that.
ZIONLIGHT
Williamson's defining dunks came late in the first half. With Jones pestering Ponds, Williamson picked the Red Storm guard's pocket and the lefty went the other way for a thunderous breakaway slam with his right hand. Williamson did the same thing a few minutes later - stealing the ball from Ponds and soaring in for a right-handed slam - in the final minute of the half to give Duke its first double-figure lead at 47-37.
HE SAID IT
''To the fans I appreciate the love that they're showing and want me to come to their team. But I'm still in college and I'm enjoying the process and whichever team that drafts me, I'll be ready to work.'' - Williamson, who has not declared his intentions for next season, when asked about the concept of NBA teams tanking for the chance to draft him.
END OF THE STREAK
Duke backup Jordan Goldwire hit a 3-pointer in the final minute of garbage time, but it was anything but meaningless to him. He had been 0 for 15 for the season from long range, and no player in Division I missed more 3s without making one.
UP NEXT
St. John's: Faces another daunting road challenge Tuesday night at No. 10 Marquette - coached by former Duke assistant and player Steve Wojciechowski.
Duke: Plays host to Boston College on Tuesday night.
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1st Half
SJU
Red Storm
37
DUKE
Blue Devils
47
Time
Team
Play
Score
20:00
Jumpball received by Duke
19:42
+3
Cam Reddish made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Tre Jones
0-3
19:22
+2
Mustapha Heron made dunk, assist by Justin Simon
2-3
19:09
+3
Tre Jones made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by RJ Barrett
2-6
18:41
Shamorie Ponds missed 3-pt. jump shot
18:39
Offensive rebound by Justin Simon
18:33
+3
Marvin Clark II made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Shamorie Ponds
5-6
18:19
+3
Cam Reddish made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Tre Jones
5-9
18:01
Marvin Clark II missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:59
Defensive rebound by RJ Barrett
17:36
+2
Marques Bolden made layup
5-11
17:10
Lost ball turnover on Marvin Clark II, stolen by RJ Barrett
17:05
Shooting foul on Justin Simon
17:05
RJ Barrett missed 1st of 2 free throws
17:05
+1
RJ Barrett made 2nd of 2 free throws
5-12
16:50
LJ Figueroa missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:48
Defensive rebound by RJ Barrett
16:42
Lost ball turnover on RJ Barrett, stolen by Shamorie Ponds
16:35
+2
Marvin Clark II made layup, assist by Shamorie Ponds
7-12
16:35
Shooting foul on Cam Reddish
16:39
+1
Marvin Clark II made free throw
8-12
16:25
+2
Zion Williamson made layup, assist by RJ Barrett
8-14
16:08
+3
Marvin Clark II made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Justin Simon
11-14
15:50
Lost ball turnover on Tre Jones, stolen by Mustapha Heron
15:38
Jumpball received by St. John's
15:37
LJ Figueroa missed layup, blocked by RJ Barrett
15:35
Offensive rebound by LJ Figueroa
15:31
LJ Figueroa missed dunk
15:29
Defensive rebound by Marques Bolden
15:26
Lost ball turnover on Tre Jones, stolen by Shamorie Ponds
15:19
+2
LJ Figueroa made layup, assist by Shamorie Ponds
13-14
15:01
Tre Jones missed layup
14:59
Offensive rebound by RJ Barrett
14:54
+2
RJ Barrett made dunk
13-16
14:42
+3
Mustapha Heron made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by LJ Figueroa
16-16
14:25
Turnover on RJ Barrett
14:12
Personal foul on Marques Bolden
14:10
+3
Marvin Clark II made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Justin Simon
19-16
13:54
+3
Cam Reddish made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Tre Jones
19-19
13:33
Mustapha Heron missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:31
Offensive rebound by LJ Figueroa
13:21
+2
LJ Figueroa made floating jump shot
21-19
13:00
Shooting foul on Marvin Clark II
13:00
+1
Cam Reddish made 1st of 2 free throws
21-20
13:00
+1
Cam Reddish made 2nd of 2 free throws
21-21
12:49
Lost ball turnover on Bryan Trimble Jr., stolen by RJ Barrett
12:44
+2
RJ Barrett made dunk
21-23
12:21
Lost ball turnover on Shamorie Ponds, stolen by Tre Jones
11:58
Tre Jones missed jump shot
11:56
Defensive rebound by Marvin Clark II
11:44
LJ Figueroa missed 3-pt. jump shot
11:42
Defensive rebound by Cam Reddish
11:38
Flagrant foul on Marvin Clark II
11:38
Commercial timeout called
11:38
+1
Cam Reddish made 2nd of 2 free throws
21-25
11:26
Lost ball turnover on Marques Bolden, stolen by Sedee Keita
11:04
Mustapha Heron missed layup, blocked by Zion Williamson
11:02
Defensive rebound by RJ Barrett
10:54
Tre Jones missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:52
Offensive rebound by Tre Jones
10:48
RJ Barrett missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:46
Offensive rebound by Zion Williamson
10:42
Zion Williamson missed dunk
10:40
Defensive rebound by Shamorie Ponds
10:33
+2
Mustapha Heron made dunk, assist by Shamorie Ponds
23-25
10:26
+3
Zion Williamson made 3-pt. jump shot
23-28
10:07
Shamorie Ponds missed jump shot
10:05
Defensive rebound by Zion Williamson
9:59
Personal foul on Sedee Keita
9:50
Tre Jones missed jump shot
9:48
Defensive rebound by Shamorie Ponds
9:38
LJ Figueroa missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:36
Defensive rebound by RJ Barrett
9:23
Zion Williamson missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:21
Defensive rebound by LJ Figueroa
8:59
Jumpball received by Duke
8:59
Lost ball turnover on Shamorie Ponds, stolen by Zion Williamson
8:44
Offensive foul on Zion Williamson
8:44
Turnover on Zion Williamson
8:33
Justin Simon missed reverse layup
8:31
Defensive rebound by Tre Jones
8:18
Cam Reddish missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:16
Defensive rebound by Justin Simon
8:02
Justin Simon missed layup
8:00
Offensive rebound by LJ Figueroa
7:56
+2
LJ Figueroa made dunk
25-28
7:47
Shooting foul on Mustapha Heron
7:47
+1
Javin DeLaurier made 1st of 2 free throws
25-29
7:47
Javin DeLaurier missed 2nd of 2 free throws
7:47
Defensive rebound by LJ Figueroa
7:30
LJ Figueroa missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:28
Defensive rebound by RJ Barrett
7:11
Personal foul on Justin Simon
7:06
RJ Barrett missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:04
Defensive rebound by Sedee Keita
6:58
Personal foul on Javin DeLaurier
6:57
Personal foul on Javin DeLaurier
6:47
Lost ball turnover on Shamorie Ponds, stolen by Zion Williamson
6:44
+2
Zion Williamson made dunk
25-31
6:33
+2
LJ Figueroa made layup, assist by Marvin Clark II
27-31
6:15
RJ Barrett missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:13
Defensive rebound by Shamorie Ponds
6:04
Mustapha Heron missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:02
Defensive rebound by Marques Bolden
5:47
Personal foul on Marvin Clark II
5:47
Zion Williamson missed free throw
5:47
Defensive rebound by LJ Figueroa
5:27
Mustapha Heron missed 3-pt. jump shot
5:25
Defensive rebound by Marques Bolden
5:12
+2
Zion Williamson made jump shot, assist by RJ Barrett
27-33
4:49
+2
Mustapha Heron made jump shot
29-33
4:33
Cam Reddish missed 3-pt. jump shot
4:31
Offensive rebound by Marques Bolden
4:28
+2
Marques Bolden made dunk
29-35
4:03
Shamorie Ponds missed 3-pt. jump shot
4:01
Offensive rebound by Sedee Keita
3:57
+2
Sedee Keita made dunk
31-35
3:48
Turnover on Zion Williamson
3:28
+2
LJ Figueroa made jump shot
33-35
3:13
RJ Barrett missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:11
Defensive rebound by St. John's
3:04
Lost ball turnover on Shamorie Ponds, stolen by Tre Jones
2:59
+2
Tre Jones made layup
33-37
2:49
Shamorie Ponds missed layup, blocked by Marques Bolden
2:47
Defensive rebound by RJ Barrett
2:41
+2
Zion Williamson made layup
33-39
2:14
Mustapha Heron missed jump shot
2:12
Defensive rebound by Cam Reddish
1:55
Shooting foul on Mustapha Heron
1:55
RJ Barrett missed 1st of 2 free throws
1:55
RJ Barrett missed 2nd of 2 free throws
1:55
Offensive rebound by Zion Williamson
1:55
+2
Zion Williamson made dunk
33-41
1:29
LJ Figueroa missed 3-pt. jump shot
1:27
Offensive rebound by Sedee Keita
1:24
+2
Sedee Keita made dunk
35-41
1:15
Personal foul on Sedee Keita
1:15
+1
Zion Williamson made 1st of 2 free throws
35-42
1:15
+1
Zion Williamson made 2nd of 2 free throws
35-43
57.0
+2
LJ Figueroa made layup
37-43
41.0
+2
Zion Williamson made layup, assist by RJ Barrett
37-45
26.0
Lost ball turnover on Shamorie Ponds, stolen by Zion Williamson
21.0
+2
Zion Williamson made dunk
37-47
4.0
Personal foul on Tre Jones
0.0
Shamorie Ponds missed layup
0.0
Defensive rebound by RJ Barrett
0.0
End of period
2nd Half
SJU
Red Storm
24
DUKE
Blue Devils
44
Time
Team
Play
Score
19:49
Shooting foul on Tre Jones
19:49
+1
Shamorie Ponds made 1st of 2 free throws
38-47
19:49
+1
Shamorie Ponds made 2nd of 2 free throws
39-47
19:37
Zion Williamson missed layup, blocked by Marvin Clark II
19:35
Defensive rebound by Mustapha Heron
19:25
Mustapha Heron missed layup
19:23
Defensive rebound by Marques Bolden
19:13
Marques Bolden missed 3-pt. jump shot
19:11
Defensive rebound by Mustapha Heron
19:03
Justin Simon missed jump shot
19:01
Defensive rebound by RJ Barrett
18:53
+2
RJ Barrett made jump shot
39-49
18:38
Marvin Clark II missed 3-pt. jump shot
18:36
Defensive rebound by RJ Barrett
18:13
+2
RJ Barrett made jump shot
39-51
17:56
Jumpball received by Duke
17:56
Lost ball turnover on LJ Figueroa, stolen by Cam Reddish
17:46
Cam Reddish missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:44
Offensive rebound by Tre Jones
17:39
Shooting foul on Marvin Clark II
17:39
+1
Marques Bolden made 1st of 2 free throws
39-52
17:39
Marques Bolden missed 2nd of 2 free throws
17:39
Defensive rebound by LJ Figueroa
17:38
Lost ball turnover on LJ Figueroa, stolen by Zion Williamson
17:36
+2
Zion Williamson made layup
39-54
17:36
Shooting foul on Sedee Keita
17:36
Zion Williamson missed free throw
17:36
Defensive rebound by Sedee Keita
17:25
Mustapha Heron missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:23
Defensive rebound by Marques Bolden
17:15
+2
Marques Bolden made alley-oop shot, assist by Tre Jones
39-56
16:54
Lost ball turnover on Justin Simon, stolen by Marques Bolden
16:51
Shooting foul on Sedee Keita
16:51
+1
Tre Jones made 1st of 2 free throws
39-57
16:51
+1
Tre Jones made 2nd of 2 free throws
39-58
16:37
Justin Simon missed layup, blocked by Zion Williamson
16:36
Offensive rebound by St. John's
16:31
Shamorie Ponds missed jump shot
16:29
Defensive rebound by Tre Jones
16:20
+3
Cam Reddish made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Tre Jones
39-61
16:01
Mustapha Heron missed jump shot
15:59
Defensive rebound by RJ Barrett
15:52
Cam Reddish missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:50
Offensive rebound by Cam Reddish
15:42
+2
Zion Williamson made layup, assist by Marques Bolden
39-63
15:30
+2
Shamorie Ponds made layup, assist by Sedee Keita
41-63
15:21
Shooting foul on Greg Williams Jr.
15:21
RJ Barrett missed 1st of 2 free throws
15:21
+1
RJ Barrett made 2nd of 2 free throws
41-64
15:14
Lost ball turnover on Greg Williams Jr., stolen by Tre Jones
15:09
+2
Zion Williamson made alley-oop shot, assist by Tre Jones
41-66
14:53
Shooting foul on Tre Jones
14:53
+1
Shamorie Ponds made 1st of 2 free throws
42-66
14:53
+1
Shamorie Ponds made 2nd of 2 free throws
43-66
14:26
+2
Marques Bolden made layup, assist by Tre Jones
43-68
14:26
Shooting foul on Mustapha Heron
14:26
+1
Marques Bolden made free throw
43-69
14:17
+2
Shamorie Ponds made layup
45-69
14:17
Shooting foul on Cam Reddish
14:17
+1
Shamorie Ponds made free throw
46-69
13:53
Personal foul on Bryan Trimble Jr.
13:47
RJ Barrett missed jump shot
13:45
Offensive rebound by Javin DeLaurier
13:41
+2
Javin DeLaurier made dunk
46-71
13:26
Lost ball turnover on Justin Simon, stolen by Zion Williamson
13:21
Lost ball turnover on Cam Reddish, stolen by Shamorie Ponds
13:11
+2
Shamorie Ponds made layup
48-71
13:00
+2
Javin DeLaurier made layup, assist by Cam Reddish
48-73
12:38
LJ Figueroa missed 3-pt. jump shot
12:36
Defensive rebound by RJ Barrett
12:31
RJ Barrett missed layup
12:29
Defensive rebound by Marvin Clark II
12:23
LJ Figueroa missed jump shot
12:21
Defensive rebound by Tre Jones
12:17
+2
Tre Jones made jump shot
48-75
12:02
+3
Bryan Trimble Jr. made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Marvin Clark II
51-75
11:47
Shooting foul on Bryan Trimble Jr.
11:47
RJ Barrett missed 1st of 2 free throws
11:47
+1
RJ Barrett made 2nd of 2 free throws
51-76
11:46
Turnover on RJ Barrett
11:34
Marvin Clark II missed 3-pt. jump shot
11:32
Defensive rebound by Alex O'Connell
11:21
Zion Williamson missed 3-pt. jump shot
11:19
Offensive rebound by Jack White
11:05
Jumpball received by St. John's
11:05
Lost ball turnover on Alex O'Connell, stolen by Justin Simon
10:55
Marvin Clark II missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:53
Defensive rebound by Zion Williamson
10:34
RJ Barrett missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:32
Offensive rebound by Javin DeLaurier
10:24
RJ Barrett missed jump shot
10:22
Defensive rebound by LJ Figueroa
10:16
Bryan Trimble Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:14
Defensive rebound by Jack White
10:08
Lost ball turnover on Jack White, stolen by LJ Figueroa
10:12
Offensive foul on Mustapha Heron
10:12
Turnover on Mustapha Heron
9:57
Cam Reddish missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:55
Defensive rebound by Marvin Clark II
9:46
Shamorie Ponds missed layup
9:44
Offensive rebound by Greg Williams Jr.
9:45
Shooting foul on Zion Williamson
9:45
Greg Williams Jr. missed 1st of 2 free throws
9:45
+1
Greg Williams Jr. made 2nd of 2 free throws
52-76
9:45
Turnover on Tre Jones
9:16
+2
Justin Simon made jump shot
54-76
8:53
Cam Reddish missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:51
Offensive rebound by Zion Williamson
8:46
+2
Zion Williamson made dunk
54-78
8:34
Marvin Clark II missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:32
Defensive rebound by Zion Williamson
8:06
Turnover on Cam Reddish
7:46
Sedee Keita missed jump shot
7:44
Defensive rebound by Tre Jones
7:41
Turnover on Tre Jones
7:39
+2
Justin Simon made layup, assist by LJ Figueroa
56-78
7:07
+2
Zion Williamson made dunk, assist by Cam Reddish
56-80
6:50
+2
LJ Figueroa made layup
58-80
6:33
+2
RJ Barrett made layup, assist by Cam Reddish
58-82
6:19
LJ Figueroa missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:17
Defensive rebound by Tre Jones
6:01
Lost ball turnover on Zion Williamson, stolen by Shamorie Ponds
5:54
Marvin Clark II missed 3-pt. jump shot
5:52
Offensive rebound by Marvin Clark II
5:46
Turnover on Justin Simon
5:23
Marques Bolden missed 3-pt. jump shot
5:21
Defensive rebound by St. John's
5:05
Turnover on LJ Figueroa
4:47
+2
Tre Jones made jump shot
58-84
4:28
Sedee Keita missed jump shot
4:26
Defensive rebound by Javin DeLaurier
4:17
Lost ball turnover on Tre Jones, stolen by Mustapha Heron
4:09
Shamorie Ponds missed layup
4:07
Defensive rebound by RJ Barrett
4:01
RJ Barrett missed layup
3:59
Offensive rebound by RJ Barrett
3:55
+2
RJ Barrett made dunk
58-86
3:57
Personal foul on Javin DeLaurier
3:49
Mustapha Heron missed jump shot
3:47
Defensive rebound by Jack White
3:25
+2
Tre Jones made jump shot
58-88
3:03
LJ Figueroa missed layup, blocked by Jack White
3:01
Defensive rebound by Javin DeLaurier
2:32
Jack White missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:30
Offensive rebound by Javin DeLaurier
2:05
Jumpball received by Duke
2:02
Turnover on Jordan Goldwire
1:55
Justin Simon missed dunk
1:53
Offensive rebound by Greg Williams Jr.
1:47
Justin Simon missed 3-pt. jump shot
1:45
Offensive rebound by St. John's
1:41
Sedee Keita missed jump shot
1:39
Defensive rebound by Jack White
1:20
Alex O'Connell missed 3-pt. jump shot
1:18
Offensive rebound by Duke
1:16
Lost ball turnover on Jordan Goldwire, stolen by LJ Figueroa
1:07
Shooting foul on Jack White
1:07
Mustapha Heron missed 1st of 2 free throws
1:07
+1
Mustapha Heron made 2nd of 2 free throws
59-88
48.0
+3
Jordan Goldwire made 3-pt. jump shot
59-91
37.0
Mustapha Heron missed layup, blocked by Antonio Vrankovic