DURHAM, N.C. — In what may go down as one of the early-season games of the year, No. 4 Duke survived a furious late push from No. 15 Florida, holding on for a dramatic 67–66 victory Tuesday night inside a roaring Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Freshman superstar Cameron Boozer delivered once again, drilling a huge three-pointer to break a 59–59 tie late in the second half. Boozer finished with 29 points, carrying Duke offensively on a night where every possession mattered.
Florida refused to go away. Boogie Fland buried a massive three with 30.9 seconds remaining — part of a second-half surge in which he scored 13 of his 16 points — to keep the Gators within striking distance. Moments later, Isaiyah Evans answered with a clutch three of his own to swing the momentum right back to the Blue Devils.
Duke appeared to have the game sealed when Caleb Foster converted a huge basket with 2.5 seconds left. But after Foster missed the ensuing free throw, Florida immediately called timeout with 1.5 seconds remaining, down just one, giving the Gators a final lifeline.
That final hope vanished in an instant. On the inbound, Malik Brown deflected the pass, and Duke’s defense — one of the nation’s best all season — slammed the door shut as the ball bounced harmlessly away and time expired.
In a game packed with momentum swings, clutch shots, and pressure moments, Duke found just enough to stay unbeaten — and delivered a thriller worthy of Cameron Indoor’s legend.