HALFTIME: Duke 40, Stanford 29

NEW YORK—Focusing most of its attention toward stud center Jahlil Okafor, Stanford played the first half of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic championship game daring the rest of Duke's supporting cast to beat them. So far, that plan isn't working too well.

With one half of play in the books, the Blue Devils hold a 40-29 lead against the Cardinal at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Senior guard Quinn Cook leads a balanced Duke scoring effort with 11 points. Redshirt senior Stefan Nastic has paced Stanford with 10.

After the first 10 minutes of the contest were very back and forth, the Blue Devils were able to expand their lead to double digits with four minutes left in the half on on a 3-pointer by Cook. Duke shot 6-of-17 from beyond the arc in the first half.

Here are some observations from the first half:

• The Blue Devil-Cardinal matchup presented a battle of youth against experience. Duke went with its usual starting lineup, which included three freshmen. Stanford's starting five included senior guard Chasson Randle and two fifth-year seniors in Nastic and guard Anthony Brown.
• In a surprising move, Stanford matched 6-foot-8 freshman Reid Travis on Okafor to start the game, with Nastic bringing a consistent double-team in the post.
• While Duke demonstrated scoring balance, Stanford got 25 of its 29 points from the trio of Randle, Nastic and Brown.
• The Blue Devils were quick to pick Stanford's pocket in the first half, racking up six steals.
• Junior forward Amile Jefferson finishes the first half on pace for a double-double, heading to the locker room with seven points and five rebounds.
• No sign of sophomore Semi Ojeleye or freshman Grayson Allen for Duke, but redshirt junior Marshall Plumlee and sophomore Matt Jones both played extended minutes off the bench in the first half.