Devils embarrassing N.C. State at half

The seats on the visiting bench at Cameron Indoor Stadium haven’t been this uncomfortable for a visiting coach since North Carolina sat there in a blowout loss last season.

Guard Nolan Smith and No. 5-ranked Duke overwhelmed an unprepared, lethargic N.C. State team in the first half this afternoon to take a 53-24 lead into halftime.

Smith scored 18 points and added six assists the Blue Devils forced 12 turnovers in their highest scoring first half of the season. Mason Plumlee and Kyle Singler each added 10 points for Duke.

Richard Howell’s 10 points led N.C. State, which has lost three in a row and could be trailing by a larger margin. Duke was just 7-for-15 from the free throw line.

The Wolfpack had more turnovers than field goals (11), and is playing without freshman forward C.J. Leslie. He is suspended for violating team rules.

-- Ken Tysiac