Sportswrap is your one-stop shop for everything Duke athletics, where we’ll recap how each of Duke’s sports currently in competition performed over the last week and give a brief look ahead. Here’s our recap for the week of Jan. 1-8:
Men’s basketball
No. 14 Duke passed its first two ACC tests of the new year this week, extending its winning streak to six. The Blue Devils (11-3, 2-1 in the ACC) took down Syracuse 86-66 in Cameron Indoor Tuesday due to a red-hot second half. Duke did not miss a triple in the frame and had four from freshman guard Jared McCain, while sophomore forward Mark Mitchell hit a career-high in points. The team then won its first true road game of the season Saturday in South Bend, Ind., defeating Notre Dame 67-59. Mitchell then broke his own record with a new career-high 23 points with two 3-pointers, after only making one all season. The Blue Devils will stay on the road and next turn their attention to Pittsburgh Tuesday at 9 p.m. before a Saturday home rematch with Georgia Tech. -Ranjan Jindal
Women’s basketball
Duke split its two-game ACC road swing with a loss to Louisville Thursday night and a win against Virginia Sunday afternoon. In the tightly contested matchup against the Cardinals, the Blue Devils (10-5, 2-2) fought hard, led by freshman guard Oluchi Okananwa with 14 points, but ultimately could not overcome Louisville's powerful offense and stifling defense. Against the Cavaliers, Blue Devil held a grasp tight on their lead, never letting Virginia take control of the game despite its best efforts. Junior guard Reigan Richardson led the offensive effort in Duke’s hard-won victory with 18 points as Duke improved to 10-5 and 2-2 in the ACC. The Blue Devils now have a bye week before they continue to face down ACC opponent Georgia Tech this coming Sunday and No. 14 Virginia Tech Jan. 18, both at home. -Elle Chavis
Wrestling
The Blue Devils began the new year in Chattanooga, Tenn., to compete in the Southern Scuffle Monday and Tuesday. The event was a disappointing one for Duke, who finished 14th overall with a cumulative record of 10-25. Only five Blue Devils won a match, while just four moved on to the second day. Several upperclassmen, particularly Logan Agin and Gaetano Console, failed to replicate the form they have shown throughout this season and both struggled. But freshmen Raymond Adams and Kwasi Bonsu wrestled well throughout the tournament, each finishing with 2-2 records after defeating more experienced opponents. Up next for Duke is a Monday bout with Appalachian State at home. -Rodrigo Amare
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