Full Breakdown
Duke Survives Scare Against Siena in NCAA Tournament Opener
3/21/2026, 1:43:31 AM
Duke's Narrow Escape from Upset
In a surprising first-round matchup of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, the No. 1 seed Duke Blue Devils narrowly defeated the No. 16 seed Siena Saints 71-65, overcoming an 11-point halftime deficit. This marked the first time in NCAA history that a No. 1 seed trailed by double digits at halftime against a No. 16 seed. The game took place at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, on March 19, 2026.
Duke struggled significantly in the first half, allowing Siena to build a 43-32 lead by halftime. Siena's Gavin Doty led the Saints with 21 points, while Francis Folefac contributed 18 points. The Saints executed a strong offensive strategy, shooting 55% in the first half and effectively utilizing their starters, who played the entire game without substitutions until the final seconds.
Second Half Turnaround
The Blue Devils, led by Cameron Boozer's game-high 22 points and 13 rebounds, came out with renewed energy in the second half. Duke's defense tightened, and they switched to a zone defense that stifled Siena's scoring. Duke went on a crucial 11-0 run, cutting the deficit to just two points early in the second half. Isaiah Evans' layup at the 4:25 mark gave Duke a 63-61 lead, their first since the opening minutes of the game.
Duke's ability to capitalize on Siena's scoring drought, which lasted over six minutes, proved pivotal. The Blue Devils out-rebounded the Saints 30-13 in the second half, allowing them to secure second-chance points and maintain control of the game down the stretch.
Coaching Perspectives
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer acknowledged the challenge posed by Siena, stating, "You have to credit Siena for it." He admitted to being outcoached by Siena's Gerry McNamara, who crafted a game plan that initially kept Duke off balance. McNamara praised his players for their effort, saying, "I’ve been doing this a long time. I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud of any group of kids I’ve been around."
Implications and Next Steps
Duke's victory, while a relief, raises questions about their readiness as they advance to face the No. 9 seed TCU in the second round. The Blue Devils, who entered the tournament as favorites, must address their early-game lethargy and defensive lapses to avoid further scares in the tournament.
Cameron Boozer reflected on the experience, stating, "This is going to help us. You need a scare going into March Madness, and this is our scare. We’ll learn from it." As the tournament progresses, Duke will need to harness the lessons learned from this close call to solidify their championship aspirations.
