Duke Basketball’s Resilience Shines in ACC Opener

Two games into their ACC season, the Duke Blue Devils have already shown their resilience and determination. The No. 5-ranked team improved to 13-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play after a hard-fought 91-87 victory over Florida State on Saturday, January 3 at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee.

Head coach Jon Scheyer acknowledged that the game was not without its challenges. “We played on our heels for much of the game,” he said postgame on the Blue Devils Sports Network. “Florida State never trailed in the first half, but like most games this season, we remained composed and used our poise down the stretch to pull out a close road win.”

Freshman Sarr Steps Up in Key Moments

Freshman Dame Sarr was one of five Blue Devils who scored in double figures, contributing 13 points and going 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. This marked his highest scoring output since the Nov. 14 game against Indiana State and came after a scoreless performance in Duke’s ACC opener against Georgia Tech on December 31.

Sarr reflected on his performance, saying, “I just trust in the work. I don’t go by the result. I work every day. At game time, I just do whatever I have to do, and the work pays off every time.”

Isaiah Evans Shines with Career-High Performance

Isaiah Evans delivered a standout performance, recording a career-high 28 points and tying his career-high with six made 3-point field goals—four of which came in the second half. His previous high was 19 points against Florida State last season.

Coach Scheyer praised Evans’ impact, saying, “Timely shots, huge free throws—Isaiah was talking the whole way. He was really, really good for us. I’m proud of him. He hasn’t shot the ball as well, and you can get caught up with that, but I thought he just threw himself into the game. Just competing, trying to make the right play.”

Adjustments Pay Off Against Florida State

Florida State entered the game as one of the top teams in the NCAA in 3-point attempts per game, and they started strong, hitting 5-of-6 from beyond the arc in the first half. However, Duke adjusted its defensive strategy, particularly with a zone defense, which proved crucial.

“We were able to figure the zone defense out and make them hit some tough shots, really down the stretch,” Scheyer said. “The zone defense saved us, it did.”

Free Throws Prove Clutch in the Final Moments

Free throws also played a significant role in securing the win. Duke, which ranked 231st in the NCAA in free throw percentage (70%), started the game 16-of-16 from the charity stripe and finished 23-of-25. Isaiah Evans, Caleb Foster, and Cameron Boozer each hit pairs of free throws late in the game to maintain a two-possession lead.

Looking Ahead to Louisville

With the two-game road stretch now complete, Duke will turn its attention to its next challenge: a matchup against No. 13 Louisville on Tuesday, January 6.

Scheyer expressed his confidence in the team’s ability to handle tough situations. “I just think this team has been in some tough positions this year already, and they’ve shown really good toughness to make the plays necessary in order to win,” he said. “And I think that’s a skill. There are things we obviously have to do better, which we will continue to work on, but I’m really proud.”

A Team That Keeps Rising

Duke’s performance against Florida State once again highlighted the team’s ability to adapt and overcome adversity. From key contributions by freshmen to clutch shooting and defensive adjustments, the Blue Devils continue to prove they are a force to be reckoned with in the ACC.