National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Duke 86, Boston College 51
When: 4:30 PM ET, Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Where: Greensboro Coliseum Complex, Greensboro, North Carolina
Officials: # Jeff Pon, # Clarence Armstrong, # Brian Dorsey
Attendance: 2820

DJ Steward scored 17 points in his first Atlantic Coast Conference tournament game as Duke began what it hopes is a long journey to keep its postseason hopes alive, belting Boston College 86-51 in a first-round game Tuesday at Greensboro, N.C.

The 10th-seeded Blue Devils (12-11) snapped a three-game losing streak. Most projections suggest that Duke must win the ACC tournament in order to extend its streak of NCAA Tournament appearances -- it hasn't missed that event since 1995.

Duke meets seventh-seeded Louisville in Wednesday night's second-round game. The Blue Devils lost twice to Louisville during the regular season, including an overtime decision Feb. 27 at home.

Steward joined freshman classmate Mark Williams, who posted 13 points, as Duke's leading scorers. Jordan Goldwire added 12 points, while Jeremy Roach, Wendell Moore Jr. and Matthew Hurt all had eight points for the Blue Devils.

The outcome marked the end of a miserable season for 15th-seeded Boston College (4-16), which endured numerous cancelled games and personnel changes.

Makai Ashton-Langford's nine points were the most for the Eagles, who were charged with 20 turnovers. James Karnik and DeMarr Lanford added eight points apiece.

Steward hit three 3s in the early going as Duke broke out to a 23-12 edge. The margin was 41-27 at halftime.

Boston College was within 43-32 with 18:22 remaining after Karnik's jumper. Ten minutes later, it was 70-40 after Duke's 10-0 run.

Six Blue Devils connected on at least two 3-point shots, led by Goldwire's 4-for-6 effort. Duke made 15 of 32 shots from long range, while it notched 17 baskets from 2-point range.

Boston College ended up 1-for-15 on 3-point attempts.

Michael Savarino, grandson of legendary Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, recorded his first collegiate point with a free throw in the final minute.

This rematch was nothing like Duke's one-point home victory in early January.

Boston College finished a season that included the mid-February dismissal of coach Jim Christian. The Eagles went 1-3 under interim coach Scott Spinelli.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Boston College   Duke
Makai Ashton-Langford 9 Scoring DJ Steward 17
Makai Ashton-Langford 4 Assists Jeremy Roach 5
CJ Felder 5 Rebounds Matthew Hurt 7
Makai Ashton-Langford 5 Free Throws Made Matthew Hurt 2
Makai Ashton-Langford 2 Steals Wendell Moore Jr. 4
N/A Blocks Henry Coleman III 2
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Boston College 51 39.1 1-15 14-21 6 27 0 8 20
Duke 86 52.5 15-32 7-10 22 31 4 11 12