UConn vs. Duke: Score and Twitter Reaction from 2014 Regular Season

Ryan Boatright did everything he could to lead a scrappy UConn side past No. 2 Duke on Thursday night. But every time the senior guard and the Huskies posed a problem, the Blue Devils had the answer.

Despite 22 points and six rebounds from Boatright, Duke fought off UConn, winning 66-56 at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All five starters scored in double digits for the Blue Devils, led by Tyus Jones (21 points), Jahlil Okafor (12 points, 10 rebounds) and Amile Jefferson (11 points, 13 rebounds, two blocks).

A game after scoring 40 points and pulling down 12 rebounds against Coppin State, Amida Brimah was held scoreless against Duke, barely playing due to foul trouble throughout.

Despite being just a freshman, Justise Winslow put the importance of a win over a team like UConn into perspective, per Duke's Twitter account:

For the Blue Devils, it was business as usual this season, though they did set a new record for the school in the process, per ESPN Stats & Information:

It's a testament to Duke's talent that UConn held it to just 30 points in the first half—frustrating Mike Krzyzewski's squad with its style of play—yet it was the Blue Devils who led by five heading into the locker room. It was far less than Duke has been accustomed to scoring per half this year, however, as ESPN Stats & Information tweeted:

Dana O'Neil of ESPN has more on how the Huskies kept Duke out of rhythm:

Along with that quickness, UConn did a great job of pressuring the ball and double-teaming Okafor every time he had an offensive opportunity. It was a testament to UConn's defense in the first half that it was regularly able to stymie Okafor early in the game despite Brimah's absence.

It was a rough half for the Huskies center, as Josh Newman of The Asbury Park Press tweeted:

UConn quickly tied the game in the second half, but Duke got hot after that, going on a 15-2 run to take a 45-32 lead with just under 13 minutes remaining. That run included this monster dunk by Okafor, as illustrated by SportsCenter on Twitter:

That had Bomani Jones of ESPN musing about Okafor's future in the NBA, as the Duke star is the current favorite to be the top overall pick in next year's draft.

"

in related news, okafor is unfair. if the sixers tank their way into no. 1, do they take another big man? or do they pass b/c he’s healthy?

— Bomani Jones (@bomani_jones) December 19, 2014"

Things would only get worse for UConn with about nine minutes remaining, as Brimah had to check out of the game after picking up his fourth foul. The Huskies continued to battle, however, cutting the deficit to 57-51 with just under four minutes to play.

That was as close as they would get, however, as Duke smartly ran down the clock on each possession and made key shots down the stretch. Despite UConn's grit and determination, the more talented team simply won out.

The Blue Devils next face Toldeo on Dec. 29, a game they should win easily. Each victory for the Blue Devils gets Krzyzewski one step closer to a pretty remarkable milestone, as he is now seven wins away from 1,000 for his career. 

Should Duke win its next six contests, Coach K would have the chance to reach the mark against Rick Pitino's Louisville Cardinals on Jan 17. That's a game no self-respecting basketball fan would miss, and given Duke's 10-0 start to the season, it would hardly be surprising if the Blue Devils were still undefeated going into it.

UConn, meanwhile, next faces Columbia Dec. 22. The Huskies will be looking to right the ship, as they've now lost four of their last five games.