CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Interstat) — Duke advanced in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament Friday night, defeating Clemson 73-61 at Spectrum Center. The top-seeded Blue Devils used a dominant first half, taking a 41-22 lead into halftime, and held off a second-half push from the Tigers before a crowd of 17,711. Cameron Boozer led Duke with 24 points and five assists. RJ Godfrey scored 18 points for Clemson, which could not overcome its slow start. The Blue Devils improved to 31-2 this season, while Clemson fell to 24-10. Duke will face Virginia next.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a dominant opening statement, the Duke Blue Devils used a commanding first-half performance to secure a 73-61 victory over the Clemson Tigers in an Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball game Friday night at Spectrum Center. A crowd of 17,711 watched as the Blue Devils, one of the nation’s elite teams this season, improved their record to 31-2. Clemson, which had won four of its last five coming in, fell to 24-10. The game was played at a neutral site as part of the conference schedule. The most critical phase of the contest was its outset. Duke established control early and never truly relinquished it, building a 19-point halftime lead that proved too large for Clemson to overcome. The Blue Devils raced to a 41-22 advantage at the break, showcasing efficient offense and disruptive defense that stifled the Tigers’ rhythm. Clemson emerged from halftime with renewed energy, outscoring Duke 39-32 in the second period. The Tigers managed to trim the deficit to single digits on multiple occasions, applying pressure with a more aggressive defensive posture and finding better offensive flow. However, each Clemson push was met with a timely response from Duke, often from its star forward, preventing the Tigers from ever seriously threatening the outcome. The top star for Duke was Cameron Boozer, the 6-foot-9 sophomore from Miami. He delivered a comprehensive performance, scoring 24 points, dishing out five assists and grabbing a key defensive rebound while playing 36 minutes. His ability to score inside and facilitate from the high post was instrumental in Duke’s offensive execution, especially during the first-half surge that decided the game. Boozer has been in stellar form, averaging over 25 points per game in his last three outings. He was supported by a strong backcourt performance from his brother, Cayden Boozer, who added 16 points. Forward Nikolas Khamenia of Los Angeles provided a significant boost with 14 points, including several crucial baskets that helped stem Clemson’s second-half rallies. For Clemson, forward RJ Godfrey of Suwanee, Georgia, led the charge with 18 points, showing tenacity in the paint. Guards Jestin Porter of Houston and Ace Buckner of Dallas contributed 12 and 11 points, respectively, as the Tigers’ backcourt tried to ignite the comeback after the intermission. Statistically, the first-half discrepancy told the story. Duke’s 41-point half was built on a series of runs, including a critical 9-0 spurt midway through the period that extended a modest lead into a double-digit advantage. Clemson, meanwhile, struggled with turnovers and missed shots, managing only 22 points before halftime. While the Tigers corrected many of those issues after the break, the early hole was insurmountable against a Duke team that has lost only twice all season. The victory continued Duke’s recent mastery in the series, following a 67-54 win over Clemson just a month earlier on Feb. 14. Entering the game, Duke was a heavy favorite according to betting markets and statistical projections, which gave the Blue Devils an 89.4% probability to win. The combined score of 134 points fell just under the pregame over/under line of 133.5. Duke’s season continues with a quick turnaround, hosting Virginia on Saturday. Clemson will await its postseason fate, having completed its regular season schedule with this defeat. The Blue Devils’ performance, particularly in the game’s decisive first 20 minutes, reinforced their status as a national contender as the calendar moves toward tournament play.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Interstat) — A surging Clemson team riding the momentum of a last-second victory faces its toughest test of the season Friday when the 24-9 Tigers meet Duke in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball showdown at Spectrum Center. The top-seeded Blue Devils (30-2), one of the nation’s elite teams, are heavy favorites to advance. They carry an 11-game winning streak into the contest and are projected by analytics with an 89.4% probability to win. Duke is a 11.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 133.5 points. Duke’s dominance was on display just over a month ago in a 67-54 home win over Clemson. The Tigers will look for a different result on a neutral floor, buoyed by a dramatic 80-79 win at North Carolina on Thursday. Guard Dillon Hunter, who scored 14 points in that victory, is a key catalyst for Clemson. Over his last eight games, he is averaging 7.4 points and 3.1 assists. The Blue Devils counter with their own high-flying scorer in Isaiah Evans. The guard torched Florida State for 32 points in an 80-79 win Thursday and was instrumental in the previous meeting with Clemson, scoring 17 points. Evans has averaged 17.3 points over his last eight contests, providing a consistent offensive threat for a Duke team that has won by an average margin of 24.2 points during its streak. Clemson’s path has been more turbulent, with a 4-4 record in its last eight games prior to the UNC upset. To challenge Duke, the Tigers will need another efficient performance from Hunter and forward Nick Davidson, who had a team-high 17 points against the Tar Heels. Duke’s balance is formidable. Alongside Evans, forward Cameron Boozer is coming off a 23-point effort and provides inside-out versatility. The Blue Devils’ defense, which held Clemson to 34.4% shooting in February, will aim to disrupt the Tigers’ rhythm early. The matchup pits Clemson’s resilience against Duke’s relentless execution, with a spot in the tournament’s next round on the line. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. EDT Friday.