Duke Survives Florida State 80-79 in ACC Tournament Thriller — Isaiah Evans 32, Cameron Boozer Double-Double
Duke survived one of the most heart-stopping ACC Tournament games in years, escaping Florida State 80-79 in a second-round thriller at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Isaiah Evans poured in 32 points, Cameron Boozer had 23 points and 10 rebounds, but FSU's Lajae Jones nearly pulled off a stunning upset with 28 points before Duke held on by a single basket.
Duke vs Florida State Final Score: 80-79 — Full Box Score
Duke trailed at halftime 44-43 before outscoring the Seminoles 37-35 in the second half. FSU shot a scorching 51.9 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from three — and still lost by one point. Duke escaped on the strength of 20 offensive rebounds, 24 second-chance points, and one of the great individual performances of the ACC Tournament by Isaiah Evans.
| Stat | Duke | Florida State |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 80 | 79 |
| FG % | 43.8% | 51.9% |
| 3P % | 29.4% | 39.3% |
| Rebounds | 46 | 25 |
| Offensive Rebounds | 20 | 5 |
| Second Chance Points | 24 | 7 |
| Turnovers | 15 | 10 |
| Biggest Lead | 9 | 8 |
Isaiah Evans: 32 Points on 7-of-16 From Three
Isaiah Evans was sensational, finishing with 32 points on 11-of-20 shooting, including 7-of-16 from three-point range and a perfect 4-of-4 on two-point field goal attempts. Evans added 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block — the most complete game of his Duke career on the biggest stage.
He scored 8 second-chance points and converted 7 points off turnovers, relentlessly keeping possessions alive when Duke needed them most. His true shooting percentage of 73.5 percent on a team-high 21.76 true shooting attempts tells the story of just how efficient he was.
Cameron Boozer Double-Double: 23 Points, 10 Rebounds
Cameron Boozer delivered 23 points and 10 rebounds to post a double-double, converting 7-of-9 free throws and adding 4 assists — the engine of Duke's inside game when Evans was running cold from the arc. Maliq Brown added 12 rebounds and 3 steals off the bench, giving Duke a dominant rebounding edge that ultimately decided the one-point game.
Cayden Boozer contributed 9 points, and the twin brothers combined for 32 points and 13 rebounds — a massive contribution in a game this tight.
FSU's Lajae Jones Scores 28 — Impossible Not to Admire
Florida State's Lajae Jones was arguably the best player on the floor Thursday night, pouring in 28 points on 8-of-15 shooting with 4-of-8 from three and a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line. He scored 8 points off Duke turnovers and played with poise FSU needed throughout.
Robert McCray V added 25 points for Florida State, giving the Seminoles two players north of 20 points. FSU finished with 11 steals to Duke's 7 — the Seminoles created chaos but could not find the final stop when it mattered.
ACC Tournament Bracket: What's Next for Duke
Duke advances to the ACC Tournament quarterfinals Friday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The Blue Devils will face a rested opponent after escaping this emotional second-round battle on fumes.
The full ACC Tournament quarterfinal slate continues Friday at Barclays Center. The semifinals are Saturday, March 14, and the ACC Tournament Championship is Sunday, March 15, also at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, all on ESPN. Duke is chasing their fifth ACC Tournament title and a top seed in the NCAA Tournament heading into Selection Sunday.
