No. 9 Duke men’s basketball escaped Cameron Indoor Stadium with a tight win against No. 2 Auburn in the ACC/SEC Challenge. The Blue Zone breaks down the game:
One player: Isaiah Evans
Evans, a freshman from Fayetteville, N.C., came off the bench and immediately made his mark against the Tigers. In just 11 minutes of play in the first half, Evans scored 18 points, going 6-of-8 from 3-point range. His red-hot shooting helped fuel Duke's offense, giving the Blue Devils a much-needed spark. Auburn's last lead came with just under four minutes remaining in the first half, but Evans' long-range shooting and a 11-3 run to close out the half gave Duke a 43-36 advantage at the break. Heading into intermission, his performance had not only lifted the Blue Devils' offense but set the tone for the rest of the game.
Evans’ quick scoring burst allowed Duke to take control over the Tigers, and his shooting proved to be a turning point. As the game unfolded, it was clear: Duke’s depth and firepower, led by Evans’ unexpected explosion, were more than Auburn could handle.
One word: Shooting
The Blue Devils had their work cut out for them, matching Auburn's high-powered offense shot-for-shot. The Tigers finished the game shooting 40% from beyond the arc, led by standouts Johni Broome and Tahaad Pettiford, who each dropped 20 points, while guard Chad Baker-Mazara chipped in with 17. Duke, however, kept pace with sharp shooting of its own, finishing with a similar 40.9% from three.
The Blue Devils' ability to match Auburn’s perimeter shooting helped keep the game tight and allowed them to stay in striking distance. Duke's composure from deep proved crucial in countering Auburn's offensive attack, when both Evans’ and Proctor's timely threes kept the pressure on the Tigers. As both teams traded blows from deep, it was clear that Duke’s balanced scoring and shooting depth were vital in neutralizing Auburn's offense and keeping the game within reach, ultimately paving the way for the Blue Devils’ own late-game surge.
One stat: 29-for-58
Duke’s offense was firing on all cylinders in its 29-for-58 performance from the field. With a 50% overall shooting clip, the Blue Devils showcased their offensive depth. Their ability to knock down shots at a fast-paced rate stretched the Auburn defense, created open looks and allowed Duke to dictate the pace of the game. With the Blue Devils finding their rhythm early, they were able to build a solid lead and maintain it throughout the contest.
Looking ahead, Duke’s ability to shoot the ball effectively will be a key to success going forward. Whether it’s forward Cooper Flagg’s playmaking, Evans’ scoring, or big man Maliq Brown’s inside-out game, the Blue Devils have the offensive firepower to compete with anyone. As they continue to refine their shooting and ball movement, this efficiency will be a big asset.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.