No. 3 Duke routs Syracuse 101-64, shifts focus to weekend showdown versus No. 1 Michigan

Duke's Cameron Boozer (12) handles the ball as Syracuse's William Kyle III, right, defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Durham, N.C., Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
Duke's Cameron Boozer (12) handles the ball as Syracuse's William Kyle III, right, defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Durham, N.C., Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
Syracuse's J.J. Starling, right, chases the ball ahead of Duke's Cameron Boozer (12) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Durham, N.C., Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
Syracuse's J.J. Starling, right, chases the ball ahead of Duke's Cameron Boozer (12) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Durham, N.C., Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
Duke's Patrick Ngongba II (21) grabs a rebound ahead of Syracuse's Sadiq White Jr. (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Durham, N.C., Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
Duke's Patrick Ngongba II (21) grabs a rebound ahead of Syracuse's Sadiq White Jr. (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Durham, N.C., Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
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DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Cameron Boozer had 22 points and 12 rebounds and helped No. 3 Duke rout Syracuse 101-64 victory Monday night.

Isaiah Evans scored 21 points, Nikolas Khamenia added 14 points off the bench and Patrick Ngongba and Cayden Boozer each had 12 for the Blue Devils (24-2, 13-1 Atlantic Coast Conference), who looked primed for a weekend nonconference showdown with top-ranked Michigan.

Duke shot 62.3% from the field, including 12 for 20 from 3-point distance.

Boozer shot eight for 10 from the field and finished with the 14th double-double of his freshman season.

William Kyle III scored 12 points and Nate Kingz added 10 for Syracuse (15-12, 6-8), which failed to carry the momentum from back-to-back victories for the first time since winning three straight in January.

The Orange were slowed by 41.3% (26 for 63) shooting from the field and 37% (10 for 27) from long distance. Syracuse didn't surpass its season low of 59 points until 1:21 remained in the game.

Duke reached the 100-point mark for the fourth time this season — and the first time since November 21. Blue Devils have won three straight games since their last-second loss at rival North Carolina on Feb. 7.

The Blue Devils made a variety of dunks and lay-ins while hitting 13 of their first 14 shots in the second half while stretching their lead to 74-45. They shot 9 for 12 in the second half from 3-point distance.

Duke used an 11-0 run to end the first half for a 40-24 lead at the break. The Blue Devils shot 51.7% before the break. Syracuse was at 32.2%, including 4 for 16 from distance.

Up next

Syracuse: Host No. 16 North Carolina on Saturday.

Duke: Faces No. 1 Michigan in Washington.

___

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