Duke's 40-point exhibition victory reveals unexpected new scoring threat originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Duke basketball fans expected to see plenty of talent when the Blue Devils opened their preseason Thursday night.They probably didn't expect two players to share the scoring lead in such impressive fashion. Sophomore Dame Sarr and freshman Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje each scored 19 points as No. 2 Duke defeated Belmont 102-62 at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
The 40-point victory was an encouraging start for Jon Scheyer's team. But Boumtje Boumtje's performance might be one of the most interesting developments coming out of the exhibition. The freshman demonstrated that Duke's depth could become a significant problem for opposing teams.
Boumtje Boumtje provides early offensive surprise
Duke entered the exhibition with considerable attention surrounding its returning players and highly regarded newcomers. Boumtje Boumtje made sure he wasn't overlooked. The freshman finished with 19 points and seven rebounds, matching Sarr for the team lead in scoring. His performance offered an early indication that Duke could receive meaningful contributions from several different players throughout the season.
7-foot freshman Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje with an impressive debut in Duke's scrimmage against Belmont😈 19 PTS | 7-11 FG | 7 REB | 22 MIN https://t.co/APx2q6TuFT
— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) October 9, 2026
Patrick Ngongba II also collected seven rebounds and led the Blue Devils with four assists. The balanced production was encouraging for a team that will continue experimenting with combinations during the preseason.
Duke placed five players in double figures. That offensive balance could become especially important when opponents focus their defensive attention on the Blue Devils' most established scoring options.
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Duke shows impressive depth despite injuries
The Blue Devils played without Caleb Foster and Drew Scharnowski, creating additional opportunities for other players. They responded by scoring 49 points in the first half and 53 in the second. Duke's defense also made life difficult for Belmont throughout the evening. The Bruins finished with 62 points, including just 25 before halftime.
Belmont's Matthew Zobrist led his team with 11 points. The exhibition also featured an interesting coaching connection. Belmont head coach Evan Bradds previously worked on Scheyer's staff at Duke.
Thursday's result was considerably different from the programs' previous meetings. Duke defeated Belmont by just one point in the 2008 NCAA Tournament and again by a single point in their 2011 matchup.
This time, there was little suspense. The Blue Devils controlled the game while showcasing several potential contributors. Exhibition victories don't count toward the regular-season standings, and there will be much more demanding opponents ahead. But Duke fans received an encouraging first look at their team.
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And Boumtje Boumtje gave them another player worth watching as the 2026-27 season approaches.