BREAKING NEWS: Duke freshman breaks 3-point record with hot shooting against James Madison
Duke’s freshman sensation, Jared McCain, has quickly made his mark in March Madness, especially with his impeccable 3-point shooting. In the Round of 32 matchup against James Madison, McCain wasted no time showcasing his skills. He efficiently demonstrated his prowess by sinking six triples in the first half alone.
McCain’s first three-pointer came just 16 seconds into the game, setting the tone for his remarkable performance. By halftime, he had already accumulated 22 points, shooting 7-of-11 from the field and an impressive 6-of-8 from beyond the arc. Not only did McCain leave a significant impact on the game, but he also etched his name in the record books with this historic display.
Jared McCain stats vs. James Madison
McCain spearheaded Duke’s commanding performance in the opening half, as they surged to a 47-25 advantage at halftime.
The 20-year-old almost single-handedly outscored James Madison, tallying 22 points with remarkable accuracy from the field. His only second missed attempt from beyond the arc was a desperation shot just before the halftime buzzer.
In addition to his scoring prowess, McCain contributed four rebounds, one assist, and a steal during the first half. To put his scoring into perspective, his first-half output brought him within 13 points of his career-best performance, achieved in a previous away game against Florida State on February 17th.
Let’s examine the statistical breakdown of the first half:
| Stat | Total |
| Points | 22 |
| Rebounds | 4 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Steals | 1 |
| Field goals | 7-11 (63.4%) |
| 3-point field goals | 6-8 (75.0%) |
McCain’s performance, with three successful 3-pointers, surpassed Duke’s freshman record for most 3-pointers in an NCAA Tournament game. With another half left to play, he’s approaching this year’s record of 10 and the all-time NCAA Tournament record of 11.
Jared McCain stats vs. Vermont
McCain, who boasts a 39.7 percent accuracy from beyond the arc, demonstrated his shooting skills during Duke’s first game of the tournament. He scored 15 points in a game where scoring was modest, helping secure a victory against Vermont. However, he elevated his performance further in the subsequent game against James Madison, where he became unstoppable.
| Stat | Total |
| Points | 15 |
| Rebounds | 6 |
| Assists | 3 |
| Steals | 1 |
| Field goals | 4-9 (44.4%) |
| 3-point field goals | 2-6 (33.3%) |