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Duke Rallies to Beat Siena, Advances in NCAA Tournament

3/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Duke defeated Siena 71-65 in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament on March 19 in Greenville, S.C., and will face No. 9 TCU next.
Duke trailed 43-32 at halftime, the first time a No. 1 seed faced a double-digit deficit at the break.
Duke outscored Siena 39-22 in the second half to rally.
Cameron Boozer of Duke led with 22 points, and Cayden Boozer of Duke added 19.

History

Historical Context

The 1985 NCAA Tournament culminated in a historic upset when Villanova defeated Georgetown 66-64 on April 1, marking Villanova's first national championship. This game, noted for Villanova's remarkable 78.6% shooting, highlighted the unpredictability of the tournament, as only one No. 1 seed reached the Final Four. The legacy of surprises continues to shape college basketball's competitive landscape today.

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Story summary

Duke defeated Siena 71-65 in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament on March 19 in Greenville, S.C., and will face No. 9 TCU next.
Duke trailed 43-32 at halftime, the first time a No. 1 seed faced a double-digit deficit at the break.
Duke outscored Siena 39-22 in the second half to rally.
Cameron Boozer of Duke led with 22 points, and Cayden Boozer of Duke added 19.

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