No. 1 Duke Defeats Clemson, 73-61, to Advance to Acc Title Game

The Battle of the Blue Devils

Charlotte, N.C. – The top-seeded and No. 1-ranked Duke men’s basketball team made a statement with a commanding 73-61 victory over Clemson on Friday, March 13 at the Spectrum Center. It was a display of both defensive prowess and offensive firepower that sent Duke into the ACC Tournament title game.

The First Half: A Stifling Defense

It all started with a fast-break dunk by Clemson to open scoring. But it didn’t last long as Duke’s Cameron Boozer responded with a floater in the lane, giving the Blue Devils some early momentum. By halftime, Duke had outscored Clemson 41-22, thanks largely to their suffocating defense and an efficient offensive performance from Boozer and Nikolas Khamenia.

Cameron Boozer’s Double-Double Showdown

The first half was a showcase for Cameron Boozer. With 24 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists, he matched his 19th total double-double of the season and his 12th with at least 20 points in a row. His brother, Cayden, contributed a career-high 16 points, while Khamenia’s three 3-pointers helped keep Clemson at bay.

The Second Half: A Struggle for Clemson

While Duke maintained their dominance, the second half was not without its challenges. Clemson tried to mount a comeback with a seven-unanswered run that narrowed Duke’s advantage. However, Boozer’s three-pointer from the corner and Khamenia’s continued contributions kept the Tigers at bay.

Ancient Rivalry on the Court

The game was significant for Duke as it marked their third appearance in the ACC Tournament title game under head coach Jon Scheyer. Since 2023, the Blue Devils have been a force to be reckoned with, winning 41 of their last 43 games against conference opponents and owning the best record in Division I college basketball.

Quotes from Coach Scheyer

“Really proud of our team,” head coach Jon Scheyer stated. “The ability to respond to a tough game yesterday and to totally play a different style. Clemson has always been — you know what kind of game you’re going to get with a Coach Brownell coached team.” He went on to praise Boozer, saying he did everything for them.

With this victory, Duke advances to face No. 2-seed Virginia in the ACC Tournament title game. The nation’s top-ranked Blue Devils and No. 10 Cavaliers tip off at 8:30 p.m., on ESPN.