In a tense first-round matchup of the 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, the Duke Blue Devils narrowly defeated the Siena Saints 71-65. Duke, the No. 1 seed, faced unexpected challenges, trailing by 11 points at halftime against the 16-seed Siena.
Cameron Boozer emerged as the standout player for Duke, scoring a game-high 22 points. His performance was crucial in the second half, where Duke needed to rally after a sluggish start. “That game was ours to take,” Boozer remarked, reflecting on the tight contest.
Siena’s struggle in the second half was evident as they shot only 23.5%, which ultimately hindered their chances of pulling off an upset. The Saints’ coach, Gerry McNamara, noted the endurance of his players, stating, “You’re looking at a guy that played 40 minutes a lot,” emphasizing that his starters played the entire game without substitutions until the final moments.
Duke’s coach, Jon Scheyer, acknowledged the challenges faced during the game, admitting, “[McNamara] outcoached me, he outcoached us,” highlighting the strategic battle between the two teams.
This narrow victory for Duke is reminiscent of their previous close win against Florida State in the ACC tournament, showcasing their resilience under pressure. As they move forward, Duke will face the No. 9 seed TCU in the second round, where they will look to build on this hard-fought victory.
Observers are keen to see how Duke will adjust their strategy after such a close call, especially given the unexpected performance from Siena. The outcome of this game has set the stage for an exciting continuation of the tournament.