Duke Secures Victory Over Kansas with Late Surge in New York

In an exciting showdown at the Champions Classic, the Duke Blue Devils showcased their prowess with a 78-66 victory over the Kansas Jayhawks on Tuesday night in New York. This matchup, featuring elite college teams, had Duke ranked at No. 5 and Kansas at No. 24.

The game remained closely contested until Duke executed a powerful 9-0 run in the final moments, allowing them to seize the win and improve their record to 5-0. Kansas, meanwhile, slipped to 3-2 after struggling to score for over four minutes.

Freshman standout Cameron Boozer was instrumental for the Blue Devils, racking up 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists, marking his third double-double of the season. His contributions on both offense and defense were critical in keeping Kansas at bay during tense moments.

Isaiah Evans played a key role as well, contributing 16 points, while Patrick Ngongba II added 13 points to the tally. Teamwork was evident throughout the game, especially in the pressure-filled closing minutes.

The Jayhawks faced challenges without one of their top freshmen, Darryn Peterson, who is nursing a hamstring injury. Despite this setback, Kansas fought hard and narrowed Duke's lead to 65-61 with under six minutes remaining.

Tre White led the charge for Kansas, scoring 22 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. Melvin Council Jr. added 15 points along with six assists, while Flory Bidunga shot efficiently, recording 14 points.

Nonetheless, Kansas struggled significantly from the three-point line, hitting only 4-of-21 attempts (19%). This inability to find the basket late in the game proved to be detrimental to their chances.

A notable factor was Duke’s rebounding prowess, finishing with a 41-30 edge, including 13 offensive boards, some crucial to maintaining their momentum. Boozer's vital rebound led to Evans' key three-pointer late in the game.

Duke also benefited from a more impactful bench performance, with four reserves scoring, contrasting with Kansas’s lone bench contributor. Duke's reserves outscored Kansas 18-5, underscoring their depth.

Rebounding, bench depth, and efficient late-game strategy helped Duke maintain an edge despite both teams’ struggles with outside shooting.

The first half was a fierce contest, with both teams’ defenses shining. They combined to shoot just 5-for-24 from beyond the arc before halftime. Duke closed out the half strong with an 11-3 run for a 41-33 lead.

Evans hit a crucial three-pointer right before the halftime buzzer, setting a positive tone for the second half.

Free throws were another significant factor, as Duke converted 17 of 26 attempts while Kansas was 10 of 14. These extra points helped Duke keep their lead intact.

This victory marks Duke's third win away from home and their second against a rated opponent in a neutral setting this season. With young talents like Boozer and Evans stepping up, Duke continues to look formidable.

Meanwhile, Kansas displayed resilience and talent despite the defeat. Once they regain full strength, particularly with Peterson's return, they have the potential to bounce back, although they must tackle their shooting and rebounding challenges to compete with top-tier teams.