Duke advances after a strong second-half performance led by Boozer, overcoming early struggles to secure an 81-58 win.
Category: Sports
GREENVILLE, S.C. – It was a weekend of mixed emotions for Duke fans, but the Blue Devils managed to pull through, advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament with an 81-58 victory over TCU. Entering the tournament with high expectations, Duke, the No. 1 seed, faced some early challenges that had fans on edge.
After trailing Siena by double digits at halftime during their first game, the Blue Devils found themselves leading TCU by just four points at the break, 38-34. It was a nervy start, but Duke exploded after halftime, outscoring TCU by an impressive 19 points to secure the win.
The standout performer for Duke was freshman sensation Cameron Boozer, who scored 17 of his total 19 points during the second half, notching a double-double with 11 rebounds. Boozer had a slow start, managing only two points before halftime, but made a remarkable turnaround that helped calm the nerves of Blue Devil supporters.
Boozer’s performance was not just a personal triumph; it was a reflection of the team's resilience. After the game, he shared his thoughts on the experience, saying, “I’m ahead to all of it. All of this is the first experience for a lot of our guys, but the older guys have done a great job getting us prepared, and we’re going to be ready for sure.”
Head coach Jon Scheyer, now leading the Blue Devils for the third consecutive season, praised his team's second-half effort, stating, “I thought the second half was (the team's identity) -- it was there after the first minute and a half, two minutes. Even after the first half, you're not going to blow people out. It felt like a big-time tournament game.”
Duke’s victory was bolstered by contributions from several players. Isaiah Evans led the team with 17 points, including a stretch where he scored 11 consecutive points. Dame Sarr added 14 points and eight rebounds, hitting three three-pointers that helped stretch the lead. Patrick Ngongba II made his return to the court after missing time due to injury, contributing four points, four rebounds, and four assists.
Though Duke had its share of struggles, including 17 turnovers with five from Boozer, they managed to regain control of the game with a series of scoring runs. After a shaky start to the second half where TCU scored the first six points, Duke called a timeout and regrouped. Boozer ignited the offense with a dunk, followed by a couple of free throws after a flagrant foul by TCU, which shifted the momentum back to Duke.
The Blue Devils’ defense was also a key factor, holding TCU to just 58 points, well below their season average of 77.9 points per game. Duke's defense has consistently been a strong suit this season, allowing them to maintain a scoring margin of +18.8, which ranks fourth nationally.
With this victory, Duke improved its NCAA Tournament record to 128-42, marking the highest winning percentage among teams with at least 20 games played. The Blue Devils now hold the record for the most Sweet 16 appearances since the tournament expanded to 64 teams, with 29 appearances, leading all teams by four over North Carolina.
“We were just talking about how we came out soft, we gave them confidence, and we said just now's the time. Let's get stops. Let's get a run going. Let's do what we do,” Boozer elaborated on the team’s mindset heading into the second half. “Just getting the stops, protecting the rim, being the more physical team. That's what we hung our hat on all year long, and we've got to continue to do that the rest of the year.”
With this win, Duke continues its march through the tournament and extends its current winning streak to 13 games, the longest of the season and the second-longest active streak nationally. The Blue Devils are now set to face the winner of the matchup between No. 4-seed Kansas and No. 5-seed St. John's on March 27.
Fans are hopeful that Boozer and his teammates will continue to build on this momentum. With such a young roster, including Boozer, who is just 18 years old, the experience gained through these high-pressure games could be invaluable moving forward.
For Duke, the path to a national championship is still long and fraught with challenges, but with players like Boozer stepping up and a coach like Scheyer at the helm, the Blue Devils are poised to make a deep run. The question remains: can they maintain this level of performance against tougher opponents? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: Duke is ready to embrace the challenge.