Duke Secures 78-66 Win Over Kansas in Exciting Champions Classic Matchup

Post by : Mara Rahim

In a thrilling Champions Classic showdown on Tuesday night, the Duke Blue Devils triumphed over the Kansas Jayhawks with a score of 78-66. This victory took place in New York and highlighted Duke's strong start to the season, boasting a top-five ranking while Kansas entered at No. 24.

The game remained tightly contested for much of the evening, but Duke executed a decisive 9-0 run late in the fourth quarter. This stretch saw Kansas struggle offensively, failing to score for over four minutes, which allowed Duke to seize control and improve their record to 5-0 while Kansas fell to 3-2.

Freshman sensation Cameron Boozer shone brightly once again, contributing 18 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists—his third double-double this season. His dual-threat capability was crucial in maintaining Duke’s edge during the game's critical moments.

Additionally, Isaiah Evans chipped in with 16 points and Patrick Ngongba II added 13, showcasing Duke's cohesive teamwork, particularly in high-pressure scenarios.

Kansas faced a setback with the absence of key freshman Darryn Peterson, who was sidelined due to a hamstring injury. Nonetheless, the Jayhawks remained competitive, narrowing Duke's lead to 65-61 in the last six minutes.

Tre White led the Kansas effort, scoring 22 points and grabbing nine rebounds, while Melvin Council Jr. added 15 points with six assists. Flory Bidunga also made a strong mark with 14 points, shooting 70% from the field, highlighting their individual performances despite the defeat.

However, Kansas struggled significantly with their three-point shooting, recording only 4-for-21 (19%). This inefficiency during crunch time proved pivotal, as they failed to score after Council's three-pointer cut the deficit to 67-64.

Duke's performance on the boards was a game-changer, ultimately out-rebounding Kansas 41-30, including 13 offensive rebounds. Boozer’s crucial board set up a timely three-pointer by Evans late in the game.

Moreover, Duke's bench proved more effective, outscoring Kansas' reserves 18-5 as four Duke players contributed, while Kansas could only rely on one substitute for points.

Strong rebounding, bench contributions, and effective late-game strategies secured Duke's win, despite both teams coping with outside shooting challenges.

The first half was marked by intense defense, with both teams combining for just 5-for-24 from three-point range before halftime. Duke concluded the half on an 11-3 rally, leading 41-33 as Evans netted a three-pointer just before the buzzer, providing momentum for the second half.

Duke's free-throw success was another contributing factor, converting 17 out of 26 attempts compared to Kansas's 10-for-14, helping the Blue Devils maintain their lead.

This victory represents Duke’s third away win and their second neutral-court win against a major rival this season. With Boozer and Evans stepping up at crucial moments, the Blue Devils exhibit a strong and balanced team dynamic as the season progresses.

Notwithstanding the loss, Kansas demonstrated resilience and potential. Once they regain a healthy roster, particularly with Peterson's return, they will work on resolving their shooting and rebounding issues to contend with high-caliber teams.