Duke’s Sweet 16 Escape
Duke edged St. John’s 77–74 in a Sweet 16 classic marked by six lead changes and late game-winning free throws — Cayden Boozer and Sellers made the clutch plays down the stretch. (youtube.com) The victory sends Duke to its third straight Regional Final and sets up a heavyweight East Region path that could include UConn and Michigan State. (youtube.com)
Duke defeated St. John’s 80–75 on March 27, 2026, at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., to advance to the East Regional final (Elite Eight). (espn.com) The win moved No. 1 Duke to 35–2 on the season while St. John’s finished 30–7. (espn.com) Cameron Boozer finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds for Duke, Isaiah Evans scored 25, and St. John’s Zuby Ejiofor posted 17 points and eight rebounds. (espn.com) Guard Caleb Foster returned from a fractured foot to provide 11 points in 19 minutes off the bench in his first game back. (nbcnews.com) Duke shot 30-of-56 (54%) and made 15-of-24 free throws, while St. John’s shot 29-of-64 (45%), went 4-of-8 from the line and connected on 13-of-32 threes. (espn.com) Duke’s victory sets up an East Regional final against UConn, which beat Michigan State 67–63 to reach Sunday’s matchup. (nytimes.com)
