In a thrilling showdown between two top college basketball programs, the Duke Blue Devils erased a 47–38 halftime deficit to defeat Louisville 84–73, demonstrating resilience, teamwork, and strategic brilliance. The second half of the game was a showcase of Duke’s defense, offensive balance, and the leadership of key players, turning what looked like a challenging night into a statement victory.
At halftime, Duke found itself trailing by nine points, with Louisville’s perimeter shooting proving difficult to contain. Ryan Conwell came out firing, hitting three triples in the opening minutes and helping Louisville jump out to a 9–3 lead. Despite the early deficit, Duke slowly clawed back behind Cameron Boozer’s interior scoring and Isaiah Evans’ offensive bursts, tying the game twice at 9–9 and 12–12. However, Louisville responded with another run, pushing ahead 24–14 thanks to Aly Khalifa’s three-point shooting and Adrian Wooley’s transition dunk. Duke kept it close through Boozer, who scored from all three levels, but the Cardinals maintained a small lead, going into the break up 47–38 after hitting 10 triples in the first half.
Head coach Jon Scheyer knew that a slow start was unacceptable. His team needed to lock in defensively, and while the first half was far from perfect, the second half told a completely different story. Scheyer made key adjustments during the intermission, inserting Dame Sarr to track Conwell, slowing down Louisville’s offensive rhythm. This defensive shift, combined with Duke’s own scoring runs, created the momentum needed for the turnaround.
The second half began with Duke pushing Louisville’s lead down from nine points to just one. Cameron Boozer, who finished the game with a team-high 27 points, showcased his all-around game—scoring efficiently while also facilitating his teammates. His fast-break finish helped Duke take its first lead of the second half at 54–53. The Blue Devils maintained the pressure with strong drives from Caleb Foster and steady scoring from Evans, building the lead to 59–55.
Caleb Foster had a career night, scoring 16 of his 20 points in the second half, turning the tide in Duke’s favor. His ability to attack the rim, make smart decisions, and finish plays in transition was critical to Duke’s comeback. Foster’s performance, combined with Boozer and Evans, allowed the team to capitalize on Louisville’s mistakes, as the Blue Devils forced 14 turnovers and scored 40 points in the paint.
Louisville made a brief run midway through the second half, with Wooley hitting a second-chance three and Conwell finishing inside to momentarily reclaim the lead at 60–59. That would be the last significant momentum swing. Duke responded decisively, with Foster driving for layups and Evans hitting a crucial three-pointer to push the lead to 66–62. Patrick Ngongba contributed a dunk to make it 68–62, and Boozer extended the lead further with a three at 7:50 remaining, putting Duke firmly in control.
From that point, Duke continued to dominate on both ends. Defensive stops, hustle plays, and consistent scoring allowed the Blue Devils to extend the lead to 79–66. Foster finished off the surge with a layup following a steal, cementing Duke’s second-half dominance. The team shot 17-of-24 (70.8%) in the second half and outscored Louisville 46–26, flipping the nine-point deficit at halftime into an 11-point victory.
The game highlighted the importance of balanced scoring and defensive tenacity. Boozer’s 27 points led the team, Evans added 23, and Foster’s career-high 20 points turned out to be the deciding factor in the turnaround. Defensive adjustments, including Sarr’s assignment on Conwell, forced Louisville out of rhythm and created multiple scoring opportunities for Duke. The team’s ability to convert turnovers into points and attack the paint effectively made the difference.
Beyond the stats, the emotional narrative of the game stood out. Duke’s slow start could have set the tone for a loss, but the team responded with focus, composure, and teamwork, hallmarks of Scheyer’s coaching philosophy. Every player contributed, whether through scoring, defensive stops, or hustle plays, creating a comprehensive team effort.
This victory also reinforces Duke’s position as a formidable contender this season, marking their 14th win in 15 games. The second-half performance sends a message not only to Louisville but to the rest of college basketball: when Duke locks in defensively and lets its stars shine, no deficit is too big to overcome.
Fans will remember this game for the turnaround led by Caleb Foster, the steady scoring of Cameron Boozer and Isaiah Evans, and the defensive adjustments that disrupted Louisville’s perimeter shooting. The second half demonstrated what Duke basketball is all about: teamwork, resilience, and clutch execution under pressure.
With this win, Duke not only solidifies its impressive record but also gains confidence and momentum heading into the next games. The Blue Devils’ performance is a reminder that even when the odds seem stacked against them, the combination of strategy, star power, and defensive commitment can flip the script in spectacular fashion.
