Sat Mar 21 23:10:00 UTC 2026: ### Headline: Duke Barely Avoids Upset, Advances to Face TCU in NCAA Tournament
The Story: The No. 1 Duke Blue Devils narrowly escaped a stunning upset in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, defeating the No. 16 Siena Saints by a score of 71-65 on Thursday, March 19, 2026. Duke trailed for a significant portion of the game but rallied late with a 15-4 run to secure the victory. Siena’s strong first-half performance, led by Gavin Doty’s 21 points, faltered in the second half as Duke’s defense tightened.
Key Points:
- Duke defeated Siena 71-65 after trailing for much of the game.
- Siena’s Gavin Doty scored 21 points, and Francis Folefac added 18, but their performance dipped in the second half.
- Duke’s Cameron Boozer scored 22 points, with 13 coming from free throws, and Cayden Boozer added 19 points.
- Siena did not make a single substitution until the final minute of the game.
- Duke will face No. 9 TCU in the second round of the tournament on March 21, 2026.
- Duke improved to 33-2 on the season.
Key Takeaways:
- Top-seeded teams are increasingly vulnerable in the early rounds of the NCAA Tournament.
- Duke’s resilience and ability to perform under pressure proved crucial in their comeback victory.
- Strong individual performances from Cameron and Cayden Boozer were essential for Duke’s success.
- Siena’s lack of substitutions may have contributed to their fatigue and decline in the second half.
- The upcoming Duke-TCU game promises to be a competitive matchup in the second round.
First Piper 