Duke vs. VCU: Score, Highlights and Reaction from 2K Sports Classic 2015

The No. 5 Duke Blue Devils shook off a sloppy first half and sprinted to a 79-71 victory over the VCU Rams on Friday to avoid what would have been their second straight loss. 

Blue Devils guard Grayson Allen—not even in the starting lineup—returned to remarkable form to lead Duke to victory, finishing with a career-high 30 points, just three days after he was 2-of-11 in the Blue Devils' lackluster loss to No. 2 Kentucky.

Allen’s adjustments from Tuesday’s muddled performance clearly carried over, as noted by Laura Keeley of the Charlotte Observer:

ESPN College BBall noted he passed former Duke player Kyrie Irving for most points off the bench for the Blue Devils in a single game in the last 20 years.

Mark Watson of Blue Devil Nation speculated Allen’s performance ultimately anchored the team’s defensive efforts:

It was a strong overall finish after Duke allowed VCU to control the tempo most of the game before finally regaining form in the second half. The Rams had a 9-0 run midway through the first half to take the lead, one they wouldn’t relinquish until 10 minutes into the final period.

Duke’s student newspaper, the Chronicle, took notice of the uptempo pace the Rams embodied:

Despite the win, the Blue Devils appear quite vulnerable in this very young season, shooting 46 percent and turning the ball over 30 times this week. 

The defending champs are still platooning point guard Allen and freshman Derryck Thornton, who finished with 19 points and one assist Friday, and they should develop into the role over time.

It's still early, and Duke can build on Friday’s win in the 2K Sports Classic final Sunday versus Georgetown, which won its first game Friday against Wisconsin. 

Postgame Reaction

Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski had plenty of praise for VCU following the game, per A Daly Dose Of Hoops:

To add context to Allen’s impressive performance, ESPN Stats & Info showed the sophomore ranks among among impressive company:

Rob Dauster of NBC Sports wrote it wasn’t Allen’s benching that played a pivotal factor in his immediate revival, but rather an alteration to his offensive approach:

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On Friday, Allen showed off the versatile offensive repertoire that assistant coach Nate James raved about this summer. He went left. He hit floaters. He drilled pull-ups going left and right. He drove right and spun back to his left. It was all there, and he was a much more dangerous offensive weapon as a result.

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To encapsulate Duke’s second-half surge, here is a highlight reel, courtesy of the ACC Network:

Before jetting back to the team hotel, Allen met with the telecasters to discuss the win. ESPN personality Dick Vitale, never one to shy away from the spotlight, snapped a quick picture with Friday’s top performer:

Duke has much maturation ahead, but Friday’s bounce-back win is an example of a hard-earned victory that will continue to mold a team that has plenty of time to find its rhythm.