Thomas, Duke Down Western Kentucky, 70-47

Thursday, November 26

Cancun, Mexico

6:00 p.m.

Duke University

Western Kentucky

Thomas, Duke Down Western Kentucky, 70-47

11/26/2009 9:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball

By: Duke Sports Information

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CANCUN, Mexico – Led by 20 points from junior guard Jasmine Thomas, the 10th-ranked Duke women's basketball team registered a 70-47 victory over previously unbeaten Western Kentucky (3-1) on Thursday in the Caribbean Challenge in Cancun, Mexico.

After an early 4-2 lead by Western Kentucky, Duke (4-1) took control of the game with an 11-0 run, which was led by Jasmine Thomas' seven points during the outburst. The Blue Devils led by as many as 12 in the first stanza as Thomas had one of the best shooting halves of her career hitting 5-of-6 field goals and 3-of-4 from three-point land.

“Jasmine has a lot of confidence – obviously she is a tremendous guard and she played the point and two for us [today],” said Duke Head Coach Joanne P. McCallie. “She was very opportunistic with the spacing on offense, the shots that came and she just took them in the flow of the offense. She was just real outstanding.”

As a team, Duke played great defense holding Western Kentucky to 32.0 percent from the field and forced 13 turnovers in the first half. The Lady Toppers kept the game within 10 points due to the three-point shooting of Courtney Clifton as she hit three first half treys.

In the second half, Duke continued with its stellar defensive effort going on a 14-1 run to open a 42-22 lead. The Blue Devils, who had previously struggled to hold on to big leads this season, continued to put pressure on Western Kentucky and after the Lady Toppers cut the lead to 42-27 at the 13:35 mark Duke made another run and increased its lead to 29 before the game was over.

Duke, who came into the game hitting only 20.0 percent from the field, hit 5-of-10 from downtown for the game. Thomas, who is a product of Fairfax, Va., hit 5-of-6 from three-point land and 7-of-10 from the field for the game. The 5-8 guard had hit a total of six treys the first four games.

“I definitely was just ready to play,” said Thomas. “We have liked being here in this nice weather and really enjoying Cancun, but there isn't anything like playing a game. We have been so anxious to play. I just waited for the shots that felt right to take. I wasn't forcing anything.”

The Blue Devils continue to play excellent defense this season forcing Western Kentucky to 32.1 percent shooting and 21 turnovers. Duke posted 13 steals on the night and outrebounded the Lady Toppers, 37-30.

“I thought it was great,” commented McCallie on the defensive effort by the Blue Devils.

“Everybody was playing so hard, putting great pressure on the ball, were being smart about their handoffs, their penetration ability and their shooting ability from the perimeter. Everyone just did their thing, did a great job playing together, talking and communication. It was a great, great defensive effort.”

Freshman Allison Vernerey added 10 points for Duke and Joy Cheek chipped in a team-high eight rebounds along with nine points. Clifton and Lashay Davis led Western Kentucky with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

“We just didn't respond with the same intensity that we had in the first three games, and what you need to do against the 10th-ranked team in the country,” said Lady Topper Head Coach Mary Taylor Cowles. “Duke is a tremendous ballclub, and what we ran into tonight is a situation where we had to execute our offense and we just didn't do that. Thomas was outstanding for Duke tonight, and we just didn't have an answer for her.”

Duke will conclude its play in the Caribbean Challenge on Friday, Nov. 27 against Marquette at 7:30 p.m. (EST).