Fresh off a crushing last-second loss to archrival North Carolina, No. 4 Duke didn’t sulk. They didn’t splinter. Instead, they responded the way championship-caliber teams do — with toughness, unity, and a relentless will to win.
On Tuesday night at the Petersen Events Center, the Blue Devils turned disappointment into determination, grinding out a hard-earned 70-54 ACC victory over Pittsburgh. It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t perfect. But it was powerful.
Pitt head coach Jeff Capel — a former Duke player and assistant who knows the program inside and out — predicted his former team would come in “loaded for bear.” While Duke may not have exploded out of the gates, they showed something just as important: resilience.
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer summed it up best.
“A workmanlike performance,” Scheyer said.
And that’s exactly what it was.
Responding the Right Way
The Blue Devils (22-2, 11-1 ACC) entered the matchup determined to move past the heartbreak against UNC. But Pittsburgh didn’t make it easy. The Panthers, battling through a difficult season and key injuries, played with urgency and grit in front of a lively home crowd.
Duke freshman standout Cameron Boozer, the ACC’s leading scorer, delivered a solid but not spectacular performance. He finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds — another double-double — but faced constant pressure and double teams throughout the night.
When one star was contained, others stepped forward.
Isaiah Evans rose to the moment, pouring in 21 points, including a flawless second-half shooting display. Evans hit all four of his 3-point attempts after halftime and went 5-for-5 from the field during that stretch, scoring 14 critical points that helped Duke create separation.
Caleb Foster added 14 points and contributed heavily on the glass. Foster, along with Dame Sarr, helped Duke control the boards, combining for 15 rebounds. As a team, the Blue Devils dominated 37-23 in rebounding and outscored Pitt 36-22 in the paint — a physical statement that ultimately decided the game.
Adjusting Without Ngongba
Duke entered the contest without 6-foot-11 sophomore center Patrick Ngongba II, who was sidelined with a wrist injury suffered against UNC. His absence forced lineup changes and tested Duke’s depth.
Maliq Brown stepped into the starting role, and freshman Nik Khamenia saw expanded minutes after playing sparingly in the UNC matchup. Khamenia made his presence felt with pure hustle. On one electrifying sequence in the first half, he missed a corner three, chased down the long rebound, missed again, grabbed another offensive board, and finally converted a layup. Two offensive rebounds. Two points. Maximum effort.
“Pat’s really tough. Pat’s dealt with a lot,” Scheyer said. “For him to be out, that’s something.”
Ngongba’s status for Saturday’s showdown against No. 20 Clemson remains uncertain, but Duke proved they can adapt.
Sophomore guard Darren Harris, who didn’t play against UNC, also provided valuable minutes. He knocked down a timely three late in the first half and started the second, giving Duke a steady presence.
“All eight guys that played did some good things that contributed to winning,” Scheyer said.
That depth may prove invaluable as March approaches.
Pitt’s Fight — But Duke’s Finish
Despite entering the game 9-16 overall and 2-10 in ACC play, Pittsburgh fought with heart. Injuries have plagued Capel’s squad, including the absence of leading scorer Brandin Cummings, who missed the game with an ankle injury.
Still, the Panthers refused to fold.
Freshman Roman Siulepa delivered an inspired performance, finishing with 19 points. The 6-foot-6 Australian forward stretched the floor with three first-half 3-pointers and battled Boozer inside with physical play.
Barry Dunning Jr. also caught fire early, knocking down three 3-pointers in the opening half. Pitt hit seven threes before halftime, keeping the score tight and the crowd energized. When the Panthers jumped out to a 9-4 lead, Scheyer quickly called timeout, sensing the need to reset his team’s focus.
A late first-half surge gave Duke a 35-29 lead at the break. Another mini-run early in the second half — highlighted by a Boozer three — pushed the advantage to 40-29.
From there, Duke never relinquished control.
While Pitt’s first-half shooting kept them competitive, they went ice-cold after the break. The Panthers missed eight of their first nine attempts from deep in the second half and finished just 2-for-13 from beyond the arc in the final 20 minutes.
“We got to be able to put two halves together,” Dunning said.
Grinding Through Imperfection
Neither team found consistent rhythm. Duke committed 13 turnovers, including a rare errant pass from Boozer when double-teamed in the corner. Pitt wasn’t much cleaner, finishing with 12 turnovers of its own.
The game featured awkward possessions, disrupted flow, and even a brief clock controversy at the end of the first half when officials restored 0.6 seconds after initially signaling halftime. The extra time produced no points — but it was another reminder that nothing came easily.
