Top-ranked Duke left no doubt about its dominance in the Atlantic Coast Conference, rolling past NC State 93–64 in Raleigh to clinch the outright regular-season championship. The Blue Devils, now 28–2 overall and 16–1 in league play, had already locked up the No. 1 seed for the ACC Tournament with a win over Virginia, but Monday’s performance underscored their momentum heading into March.
Boozer Leads the Charge
Freshman star Cameron Boozer delivered another standout showing, scoring 26 points on 8-of-10 shooting while grabbing nine rebounds. His efficiency set the tone for Duke’s offense, which finished at 55.2% from the field. Boozer wasn’t alone—Dame Sarr added 16 points and eight boards, Isaiah Evans chipped in 12, and Patrick Ngongba II contributed 11.
Balanced Play Keeps Duke Rolling
Duke’s crisp ball movement produced 21 assists on 32 made baskets, with Caleb Foster handing out seven. The Blue Devils also knocked down 11 three-pointers, spreading the floor and keeping NC State’s defense off balance. Despite a modest 18-of-27 mark at the free-throw line, Duke limited mistakes with just seven turnovers.
NC State’s Slide Continues
The Wolfpack, once considered a safe NCAA Tournament team, have now lost five of their last six. Darrion Williams led NC State with 17 points but struggled from deep, hitting only 3-of-11 threes. Quadir Copeland added 11 points, yet the team shot just 35.4% overall and 7-of-29 from beyond the arc.
Looking Ahead
Duke built a commanding 47–30 halftime lead and quickly stretched the margin to 62–36 early in the second half, silencing the home crowd. The victory marks Duke’s seventh straight since its lone ACC loss to rival North Carolina. That rematch comes Saturday in Durham, where the Blue Devils will look to avenge their earlier defeat and enter the postseason on a high note.
This win not only cements Duke’s place atop the ACC but also signals that the Blue Devils are peaking at the right time, with their depth and efficiency making them a formidable contender as March Madness approaches.
