Duke Blue Devils Dominate Syracuse
DURHAM, N.C. — The Duke Blue Devils delivered a commanding performance on Monday night, defeating Syracuse 101-64 in a game marked by impressive offensive execution. Cameron Boozer led the charge with an outstanding 22 points and 12 rebounds, tallying his 14th double-double of the season as a freshman. He was well supported by teammates Isaiah Evans, who contributed 21 points, and Nikolas Khamenia, who added 14 points in a crucial bench role. Patrick Ngongba and Cayden Boozer each chipped in 12 points, highlighting the depth and versatility of Duke’s roster.
Game Highlights
With this victory, the third-ranked Blue Devils improved their record to 24-2 overall and 13-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, showcasing their readiness for an upcoming high-stakes nonconference clash against the top-ranked Michigan team.
Duke’s shooting was nothing short of stellar, with the team connecting on 62.3% of its shots from the field and maintaining a sharp 60% (12 for 20) accuracy from beyond the arc. The offensive onslaught was evident as Duke hit 9 of 12 three-point attempts in the second half, propelling them to a remarkable 74-45 lead shortly after halftime. The Blue Devils opened the second half strong, hitting 13 of their first 14 shots.
Syracuse Struggles
On the other hand, Syracuse, now 15-12 and 6-8 in the conference, struggled to find its rhythm. With William Kyle III and Nate Kingz each scoring 12 and 10 points, respectively, the Orange could not build on their previous victories, which marked their first back-to-back wins since January. Their shooting woes were apparent, with only 41.3% (26 for 63) efficiency from the field and a dismal 37% (10 for 27) from three-point range. Notably, Syracuse managed to avoid establishing a new season low until the final moments of the game.
Looking Ahead
Duke’s impressive win marked the fourth occasion this season they surpassed the 100-point mark, a feat they last achieved on November 21. Having won three consecutive games following their narrow loss to rival North Carolina on February 7, the Blue Devils are now poised to face an intense rivalry game against Michigan in Washington this weekend.
