**Cramps Plague Duke In Loss To No. 19 Kentucky**

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Post on Nov 13, 2024

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Cramps Plague Duke in Loss to No. 19 Kentucky

The Duke Blue Devils fell to the No. 19 ranked Kentucky Wildcats on Tuesday night in a game marred by cramps and a lack of offensive efficiency. The Wildcats, who were playing their second game in as many nights, took advantage of a depleted Duke squad to secure an 81-67 victory.

A Night of Cramps

The cramps began early for the Blue Devils, and as the game wore on, they became more pronounced. Several Duke players, including Kyle Filipowski, Jeremy Roach, and Mark Mitchell, were visibly struggling with the issue. This forced head coach Jon Scheyer to rely on a limited rotation, leaving the players on the court exhausted and unable to maintain their usual level of play.

"We had a lot of guys cramping," Scheyer said after the game. "It's a tough environment to play in, and we didn't do a good job of hydrating and taking care of ourselves. It's something we need to learn from and get better at."

Kentucky Takes Advantage

The Wildcats, meanwhile, were able to maintain their energy throughout the game. Led by Antonio Reeves' 23 points, Kentucky shot an impressive 50.8% from the field. The Wildcats also dominated the boards, outrebounding Duke 40-30.

Duke's Offensive Struggles

The Blue Devils struggled offensively all night, shooting just 37.3% from the field. They were unable to establish a consistent rhythm, turning the ball over 15 times. Filipowski led Duke with 17 points, but he struggled with foul trouble.

Looking Ahead

The loss marks Duke's third defeat in their last four games. Despite the setback, the Blue Devils will look to regroup and bounce back in their next matchup. They will need to find a solution to the cramping issue and improve their offensive execution to regain their winning ways.

Key Takeaways

• Cramps played a significant role in Duke's loss, limiting the team's rotation and affecting their overall performance.
• Kentucky's offensive efficiency and strong rebounding were key factors in their victory.
• Duke needs to address their hydration and conditioning issues to avoid similar problems in the future.

The Blue Devils will now face a pivotal stretch of their schedule, and their ability to learn from this defeat will be crucial to their success moving forward.