In an exciting showdown on January 10, 2026, Duke University triumphed over Southern Methodist University (SMU) with a final score of 82-75. This game was particularly thrilling for fans as it marked a crucial victory for the No. 6 ranked Blue Devils against the No. 24 Mustangs.
Isaiah Evans emerged as a standout player, scoring a total of 21 points, including a pivotal three-pointer with just 1:15 remaining in the game. This shot, assisted by freshman sensation Cam Boozer, shifted the momentum in Duke's favor, bringing the score to 76-70. Interestingly, this moment mirrored a similar play from December when Evans clinched a win for Duke against Florida with a late three-pointer.
Duke's performance was bolstered by Patrick Ngongba II, who matched his personal best with 17 points, while Boozer added 18 points to the scoreboard. Boozer showcased his strength by scoring an impressive interior basket that gave Duke a critical 73-68 lead right before Evans made his crucial shot. The Blue Devils demonstrated their shooting prowess, hitting 49% of their attempts, and extending their remarkable home-game winning streak to 25.
On the other side, Jaden Toombs led the Mustangs with an outstanding performance, scoring 23 points with an impressive shooting percentage of 10-for-12. SMU started the week on a high note by breaking into the AP Top 25 poll for the first time since the 2016-17 season, although they faced a setback in their previous game against Clemson.
Unfortunately for the Mustangs, they had to navigate this challenging matchup without their leading scorer, Boopie Moller, who averages 20.6 points per game but was sidelined due to illness right before the game. Despite this setback, SMU managed to open the game with an impressive 11-point run and kept Duke on their toes throughout, shooting 56.6% from the field and closing the gap to just one possession multiple times in the last four and a half minutes. However, turnovers plagued their effort, as they committed 21 turnovers that resulted in 21 points for Duke.
At halftime, Duke took a moment to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their 2001 NCAA championship win. Former NBA stars Shane Battier, Carlos Boozer, Mike Dunleavy, and Jay Williams joined the legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski at midcourt for this special presentation, celebrating a significant milestone in the program's history. Notably, Boozer’s twin sons, Cam and Cayden, are current players for Duke, adding an extra layer of pride to the occasion.
Looking ahead, the Mustangs will be hosting Virginia Tech on Wednesday, while Duke prepares for their first long-distance ACC matchup, traveling to California on the same day.
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