No. 1 Duke trounces Notre Dame behind Boozer's 24 points - ESPN
ESPN
February 25, 2026
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Cameron Boozer led No. 1 Duke to a dominant 100-56 victory over Notre Dame on Tuesday night, securing the Blue Devils' first win as the top-ranked team this season. Boozer's impressive performance included 24 points and 13 rebounds, marking his ninth game with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds—a remarkable feat tied for the most among Division I freshmen. The victory not only showcased Duke's offensive prowess but also ended Notre Dame's streak of six home wins against AP No. 1-ranked teams, dating back to 1974.
The game was a commanding display by Duke from start to finish. Boozer dominated the first half, scoring 20 points and grabbing nine rebounds as the Blue Devils built a 54-22 lead at halftime. His stellar performance included a near-perfect shooting clip of 10 out of 12 in the opening half. This dominance carried over into the second half, solidifying Duke's win and highlighting Boozer's status as a potential Player of the Year contender.
Notre Dame faced significant challenges due to injuries, including the absence of star freshman Jalen Haralson, who missed his third consecutive game with an ankle sprain. The Fighting Irish also dealt with the loss of key players like Markus Burton, who underwent surgery after suffering an ankle injury earlier in the season, and Kebba Njie, out since January with a knee injury. These absences left Notre Dame struggling to compete against Duke's balanced attack, which featured contributions from Patrick Ngongba II, Caleb Foster, and Darren Harris.
The defeat marked Notre Dame's worst home loss since 1898, underscoring the magnitude of Duke's victory. Head coach Micah Shrewsberry added to the drama by suffering an apparent ankle injury during the game, further highlighting the difficulty of Notre Dame's current roster challenges. Despite their efforts, the
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Originally published on ESPN on 2/25/2026