Patrick
The No. 5 Duke Blue Devils (5-0, 0-0 ACC) overcame a slow start to claim a 78–66 win against the No. 24 Kansas Jayhawks (3-2, 0-0 Big 12) in the Champions Classic on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.
Duke spent much of the opening half trailing, largely due to turnovers that allowed Kansas to rack up 11 fast-break points before halftime. The Blue Devils faced a six-point deficit with less than nine minutes remaining in the period.
First-Half Comeback Fueled by Teamwide Scoring
Despite the shaky start, Duke responded with a balanced scoring performance as eight of their nine rotation players contributed offensively in the first half.
The team ignited a 17–5 run, energized by a transition dunk and a late three-pointer from sophomore Isaiah Evans, to enter halftime with a 41–33 lead.
Duke Extends Lead in Second Half
Coming out of the break, Duke’s high-octane offense wasted no time stretching the advantage to 51–41 by the first media timeout.
Four different Duke players scored within the opening minutes of the second half, showcasing the team’s offensive depth.
Kansas, however, refused to fold. The Jayhawks trimmed the lead to just three points with under five minutes left, making for a tense finish.
Evans and Boozer Lead Duke to the Finish
A crucial three-pointer by Isaiah Evans following the final media timeout helped Duke regain momentum and close out the game with precision.
Evans posted 16 points, shooting 5-for-11 from the field, 3-for-7 from deep, and converting all attempts at the line.
Freshman standout Cameron Boozer led the Blue Devils with 18 points, adding nine rebounds and five assists to round out a dominant performance.
Champions Classic Milestones
With the win, Duke improved its historic record at Madison Square Garden to 43–19, riding a nine-game winning streak at the iconic venue.
The Blue Devils also tied Kansas atop the Champions Classic all-time standings at 9–5. Michigan State and Kentucky now stand at 6–9 after the No. 17 Spartans defeated the No. 12 Wildcats, 83–66, in the event’s opening game.
The matchup marked Duke’s first game this season against a ranked opponent, though Kansas was missing key freshman Darryn Peterson due to a hamstring injury.
What’s Next for Duke
Head coach Jon Scheyer now turns his focus to a home game at Cameron Indoor Stadium, where Duke will welcome his former teammate Greg Paulus and the Niagara Purple Eagles (2-0) on Friday at 7 p.m. ET (ACC Network).
Duke’s resilience, balanced scoring, and timely execution were the foundation of a hard-earned win over Kansas in the Champions Classic.
With standout performances from Isaiah Evans and Cameron Boozer, the Blue Devils not only extended their winning streak at Madison Square Garden but also strengthened their position among the elite programs in the event’s history. Their solid play sets the tone as they prepare to return home for their next matchup.