Boozer’s Double-Double Powers No. 6 Duke to Dominant 71-56 Road Win Over Cal, Extending ACC Perfection…Read More….
BERKELEY, Calif. – Cameron Boozer delivered a commanding performance with 21 points and 13 rebounds, leading No. 6 Duke to a decisive 71-56 victory over California on Wednesday night at a packed Haas Pavilion. The Blue Devils improved to 16-1 overall and a perfect 5-0 in Atlantic Coast Conference play, showcasing both defensive tenacity and second-half dominance on their first-ever road trip to Berkeley as conference rivals.
Duke entered the contest riding momentum from a strong ACC start but faced a Cal squad averaging nearly 80 points per game. The Golden Bears (13-5, 1-4 ACC) stayed competitive early, trailing just 37-30 at halftime after a back-and-forth first 20 minutes. However, the Blue Devils flipped the switch after the break, tightening their defense and pulling away decisively.
Defense was the defining factor for Duke, as they held Cal to a season-low 56 points overall and only 26 in the second half—their lowest half output of the season. In the final 12 minutes, the Golden Bears managed just 3-of-13 shooting (.188) from the field, allowing Duke to build a comfortable double-digit lead. The Blue Devils dominated the paint, outscoring Cal 42-16 inside, while forcing turnovers and limiting second-chance opportunities.
Boozer, the standout freshman forward, was unstoppable. He shot 9-of-16 from the field and was perfect from the free-throw line (3-of-3), adding three assists for his eighth double-double of the season. His presence inside anchored Duke’s offense and defense, consistently finishing through contact and controlling the glass against a physical Cal frontcourt.
Supporting Boozer were strong contributions across the roster. Isaiah Evans and other key players provided timely scoring and defensive stops, helping Duke maintain control during critical stretches. Coach Jon Scheyer praised the team’s focus postgame, noting that their second-half adjustments disrupted Cal’s rhythm and transformed a close contest into a commanding win.
For California, the loss marked their fourth in five ACC games since joining the conference. Despite a spirited first half fueled by their home crowd, the Golden Bears struggled to generate consistent offense against Duke’s length and athleticism, particularly during decisive stretches.
The victory keeps Duke atop the ACC standings and reinforces their reputation as a defensive powerhouse. With Boozer emerging as one of college basketball’s brightest young stars, the Blue Devils look poised for a deep postseason run. Their next challenge arrives quickly: a road matchup against Stanford on Saturday, January 17.
This win underscores Duke’s blend of elite talent and disciplined execution. As the season progresses, their ability to dominate on the road against motivated opponents bodes well for March. For now, though, the focus remains on the present—anoter step forward in what could be a special season in Durham.
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