Duke’s Dominant Road Victory: No. 4 Blue Devils Overpower Pittsburgh 70-54 Behind Evans and Boozer

Duke’s Dominant Road Victory: No. 4 Blue Devils Overpower Pittsburgh 70-54 Behind Evans and Boozer

In a convincing Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) matchup on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, the No. 4 Duke Blue Devils secured a solid 70-54 win over the Pittsburgh Panthers at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This road triumph marked a strong bounce-back performance for Duke following a recent setback, reinforcing their status as one of the top teams in college basketball this season.

The Blue Devils entered the game with an impressive 21-2 overall record and 10-1 in conference play, showcasing their depth, defensive prowess, and ability to adapt on the road. Pittsburgh, struggling at 9-16 overall and 2-10 in the ACC, faced an uphill battle against a talented and well-coached Duke squad led by head coach Jon Scheyer.

First Half: A Competitive Battle

The game kicked off with both teams trading blows early on. Duke started with an altered lineup due to minor adjustments or foul trouble concerns, leading to a somewhat slow offensive start. Pittsburgh capitalized on this, using their home-court energy and sharp perimeter shooting to stay within striking distance.

The Panthers held their own in the opening minutes, keeping the score close as they hit a few timely three-pointers and converted on fast-break opportunities. Duke’s defense, however, began to settle in, forcing turnovers and limiting Pittsburgh’s efficient looks inside. By halftime, Duke held a modest 35-29 lead, a six-point advantage that reflected their slight edge in rebounding and efficiency despite not pulling away decisively.

Key contributions in the first half came from Duke’s young stars. Freshman sensation Cameron Boozer was active around the rim, using his athleticism to finish strong drives and secure rebounds. Meanwhile, sophomore guard Isaiah Evans showed flashes of his shooting touch, knocking down a couple of early shots to keep the momentum.

Pittsburgh’s effort was commendable, with players like Barry Dunning Jr. and others providing energy on both ends. They managed to hang around by limiting Duke’s transition game and contesting shots effectively. The halftime margin suggested a potentially tight second half, but Duke’s experience and depth would prove decisive.

Second Half Surge: Defense Takes Over

The turning point came after the break. Duke ramped up their defensive intensity, holding Pittsburgh to a mere 25 points in the second half—a season-low output for the Panthers at home. The Blue Devils’ length and athleticism disrupted Pittsburgh’s rhythm, forcing contested shots and turnovers that fueled easy transition buckets.

Isaiah Evans erupted as the game’s leading scorer, finishing with 21 points on an efficient 8-of-10 shooting from the field, including a scorching 5-of-6 from three-point range. His deep shooting display, particularly in the second half, stretched Pittsburgh’s defense thin and created spacing for Duke’s interior players. Evans’ performance was a highlight reel of confidence and precision, as he drained contested triples and side-step jumpers to ignite runs.

Complementing Evans was Cameron Boozer, the highly touted freshman forward who delivered his 13th double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Boozer was a force on the glass, grabbing crucial boards and finishing through contact in the paint. Though he had four turnovers—a minor blemish in an otherwise strong outing—his presence inside anchored Duke’s offense and defense. Boozer’s ability to score in transition and post up added versatility to the Blue Devils’ attack.

Caleb Foster provided a well-rounded contribution with 14 points, five assists, and a career-high eight rebounds. Foster’s playmaking and defensive tenacity helped stabilize the team during key stretches, while his step-back three-pointers silenced the home crowd at critical moments.

Duke’s bench and supporting cast also stepped up. The team as a whole shot efficiently, particularly from beyond the arc, where Evans’ hot hand set the tone. Defensively, they limited Pittsburgh’s leading scorers and forced a low-possession, grind-it-out style that favored the more talented Blue Devils.

Key Moments and Turning Points

Several sequences defined the game. Late in the second half, with the lead hovering around single digits, Evans hit back-to-back threes to push the advantage into double figures. A Boozer and-one dunk following a timeout extended the margin further, while Foster’s step-back triple and another Evans side-step three ballooned the lead to 17 points with under three minutes remaining. These plays sent many fans heading for the exits, as Duke pulled away decisively.

Pittsburgh fought valiantly but couldn’t overcome Duke’s second-half clampdown. The Panthers’ offense stalled, shooting poorly from the field and struggling to generate open looks against Duke’s switching defense.

Statistical Breakdown

• Scoring Leaders: Isaiah Evans (Duke) – 21 points; Cameron Boozer (Duke) – 17 points and 10 rebounds; Caleb Foster (Duke) – 14 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists.
• Team Totals: Duke shot efficiently overall, dominating the rebounding battle and forcing Pittsburgh into inefficient shots.
• Pittsburgh’s Struggles: Held to 54 points total, with only 25 in the second half, highlighting Duke’s defensive dominance.

Implications for Duke’s Season

This victory improved Duke to 22-2 overall and 11-1 in the ACC, solidifying their position near the top of the conference standings. The road win demonstrated resilience and the ability to win in different styles—grinding defensively when the offense wasn’t clicking at full throttle.

With stars like Boozer emerging as consistent double-double threats and Evans providing explosive scoring, Duke looks poised for a deep March Madness run. Coach Scheyer’s squad has depth, youth, and veteran poise, making them a formidable contender in a loaded ACC.

For Pittsburgh, the loss dropped them deeper into the conference cellar, but it served as a learning experience against elite competition. The Panthers showed fight early but need more consistency to compete with the league’s best.