Dukes win again at home running their record to 6-1 in friendly confines and 4-1 in games decided by fewer than 6 points. Jim Ferry's side pushed the tempo and got Western Michigan out of their comfort zone. They kept the rebounding margin close 44-41 and took care of the ball well other than in spurts after the 10 minute mark in the first half and when Derrick Colter lost possession of the ball on two consecutive accounting for his only two turnovers of the game.
Player of the Game - Sean Johnson - 9 - Bet you're surprised it wasn't Colter? Sean hit big shots at big times and did very well from the stripe. He also played what may have been his best defensive game as a Duke. Did admirably in a handful of minutes as PG.
Derrick Colter - 9 - Career highs of 25 points and 6 boards. He was active at both ends. It's really becoming noticeable when he is not in the game.
Jeremiah Jones - 8.5 - Left his team hanging with the ejection but his defensive job was commendable against the much larger Nate Hutcheson. Good night offensively as well, but needs to see the court better in transition.
Andre Marhold - 8 - It's becoming noticeable when he is not in the game defensively. One of these days he's going to get that double - double.
Jerry Jones - 6.5 - A little quiet offensively, but again, he was a defensive stopper.
Quevyn Winters - 6 - Creating good shots for himself, he's just in a major slump right now and it's cut into his minutes. Seems like he's rushing his three and it's coming out a bit flat. Still love the intensity out of him and an all around good rebounding effort.
Kadeem Pantophlet - 4 - Once again left with a difficult matchup, size wise but did pretty well. The Dukes need him to hit his three pointers and when he gets a good look he needs to take it. I don't think he shot the ball in the second half and passed up a few good looks, in one case, putting Colter in an awkward position with the shot clock expiring.
Martins Abele - 2 - Did a lot of fouling tonight, and never got started on either end. He too is in a slump.
Marvin Binney - NA - A hero of the WVU game is looking like he is losing his spot in the rotation. In other PG news, PJ Torres didn't play tonight.
Derrick Martin - NA - Only saw two possessions on either end. On the defensive side, he got beat on a nice post move. The second he altered the shot very nicely and got the rebound. Looked more poised than normal.
