In a thrilling Sweet 16 matchup at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., the Duke Blue Devils edged out the St. John’s Red Storm with a score of 80-75, marking a significant moment in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
Duke’s victory was fueled by standout performances, particularly from Isaiah Evans, who scored 25 points, and Cameron Boozer, who contributed 22 points and 10 rebounds. Caleb Foster made a notable return from injury, scoring all 11 of his points in the second half, which proved crucial for Duke’s comeback.
St. John’s initially held a commanding 10-point lead in the second half, but Duke rallied to secure the win, extending their impressive winning streak to 14 games. This victory improved Duke’s record to 35-2, while St. John’s concluded the game with a record of 30-7.
The matchup saw Duke favored by 6.5 points, with an over/under set at 141.5 total points. St. John’s had previously shown their strength by defeating Kansas 67-65 to reach this stage of the tournament, but they were unable to maintain their lead against the top-seeded Blue Devils.
As the tournament progresses, Duke is set to face either UConn or Michigan State in the East Region final, a matchup that promises to be just as exciting as their recent victory.
