Mark Mitchell led the charge for Duke with 15 points, 11 of which came in the first half, while Jared McCain also contributed 15 points in Duke's 64-47 victory over Vermont in the NCAA Tournament's first round at Barclays Center on Friday night.
Despite Kyle Filipowski's quiet night without a field goal, Duke had two other players in double figures.
Jeremy Roach and Tyrese Proctor each added 13 points, with Proctor sinking three 3-pointers.
Shamir Bogues and Aaron Deloney were the top performers for Vermont, scoring 18 and 14 points respectively.
Duke capitalized on weaknesses in Vermont's defense, particularly in ball-screen coverage, allowing Mitchell to execute uncontested dunks in the first half and build a significant early lead.
While Filipowski struggled to find his rhythm, Mitchell's offensive contribution, along with timely 3-pointers from Proctor and McCain, ensured Duke's victory despite Vermont's defensive efforts.
Filipowski remained composed in the first half, opting not to force plays.
Despite only scoring three points, he showcased his passing ability by assisting McCain for a crucial 3-pointer to halt Vermont's momentum before halftime.