Duke 101, Syracuse 64 — Cameron Boozer’s double-double fuels rout in Durham
DURHAM, N. C. — Cameron Boozer produced 22 points and 12 rebounds and the Blue Devils rolled to a 101-64 victory over Syracuse on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 (ET). Duke’s offensive balance and blistering efficiency turned a competitive first half into a runaway in the second, as the home team reached 100 points for the fourth time this season.
Boozer’s breakout night and depth carry Duke
Boozer finished 8-for-10 from the floor and recorded the 14th double-double of his freshman season. He received ample support across the roster: Isaiah Evans added 21 points, Nikolas Khamenia chipped in 14 off the bench, and both Patrick Ngongba and Cayden Boozer poured in 12 each. The Blue Devils entered the contest with a top-tier record and left the floor looking like a team peaking at the right time, improving to 24-2 overall and 13-1 in conference play.
Duke’s shot-making was the story. The visitors connected on 62. 3 percent of their field-goal attempts and hit 12 of 20 from beyond the arc. A second-half barrage was especially decisive: the Blue Devils made 13 of their first 14 attempts after halftime and were 9-for-12 from three-point range in the period, turning a 40-24 halftime cushion into a blowout by the final whistle.
Orange offense stalls; Syracuse falls short of momentum
Syracuse struggled to find consistent offense against the Blue Devils’ length and pace. The Orange managed just 26 of 63 shooting (41. 3 percent) and were 10-for-27 from long distance (37 percent) for the night. William Kyle III paced Syracuse with 12 points while Nate Kingz added 10, but the supporting cast could not sustain the scoring necessary to keep pace.
Syracuse failed to build on the momentum from its recent winning streak, slipping to 15-12 overall and 6-8 in conference play. The Orange remained below their season scoring mark for much of the game and did not surpass their season low of 59 points until there was 1: 21 left on the clock, underscoring how thoroughly Duke controlled both the tempo and the paint.
What the results mean and what’s next
For Duke, the victory is a clear statement of offensive firepower and depth as the calendar moves toward March. Reaching the 100-point mark for the fourth time this season, and first since late November, the Blue Devils have won three straight following a narrow loss to their crosstown rival on Feb. 7. The balance of interior scoring, perimeter shooting and bench contributions makes them a formidable opponent heading into a high-profile nonconference matchup on the road this weekend.
Syracuse has an opportunity to regroup quickly, with a conference test awaiting on Saturday at home against a ranked opponent. The Orange will need better efficiency, more consistent shot selection and stronger defensive focus on the glass if they hope to halt a slide and reassert control in their conference slate.
In Durham, the final margin reflected both Duke’s offensive efficiency and Syracuse’s inability to answer in kind. The Blue Devils showcased a multifaceted attack, while the Orange were left searching for answers as the schedule tightens down the stretch.
