Duke basketball struggles, falls on road to Georgia Tech in ACC opener

Duke loses second game in a row, 72-68 to Georgia Tech, and starting point guard Tyrese Proctor to a leg injury.

The Duke Blue Devils suffered a 72-68 loss to Georgia Tech, marking their second consecutive defeat. The game also saw starting point guard Tyrese Proctor sustain a leg injury, further complicating matters for the team.

During the game, Baye Ndongo, a 6-9 freshman from Senegal, delivered an outstanding performance for Georgia Tech, scoring 21 points. His two crucial baskets on lob passes helped Georgia Tech secure the victory and turn the game in their favor.

The Yellow Jackets' victory over Duke follows their recent win against No. 21 Mississippi State, showcasing their ability to compete against ranked opponents.

Proctor's injury early in the game forced Duke to play from behind, with the team trailing by as many as 11 points in the second half. Despite a late rally that saw Duke take a 68-66 lead, they were unable to maintain their advantage, ultimately failing to score again.

Jeremy Roach led Duke with 20 points, while Caleb Foster and Kyle Filipowski contributed 12 points each. Mark Mitchell also added 11 points to the team's score.

Miles Kelly and Kowacie Reeves were instrumental in Georgia Tech's victory, scoring 16 and 14 points, respectively.

The game highlighted several key takeaways. Duke struggled with their 3-point shooting, making only 4 of 16 attempts, a significant drop from their previous performance. Additionally, Proctor's injury early in the game disrupted the team's gameplay, resulting in a lineup adjustment by coach Jon Scheyer.

Despite Proctor's absence, Duke showed resilience, committing only six turnovers throughout the game. However, two crucial turnovers in the final minute proved costly for the team.

Proctor's injury has raised concerns about his future availability, as he has been a key contributor to Duke's performance this season. The team will need to adapt to his absence and make strategic adjustments in their upcoming games.

Overall, the game showcased the resilience and determination of both teams, with Georgia Tech emerging victorious and Duke facing challenges that will test their ability to overcome adversity.