Lead: On March 27, 2026 in Washington, Caleb Foster returned less than three weeks after surgery on a broken left foot and provided the decisive lift as top-seeded Duke rallied from a 10-point second-half deficit to defeat St. John’s 80-75 and advance to the Elite Eight. Isaiah Evans led Duke with 25 points while Cameron Boozer finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds. The Blue Devils improved to 35-2 and extended the nation’s longest active winning streak to 14 games. St. John’s fell to 30-7 after a late push fell short.
Key Takeaways
- Final score: Duke 80, St. John’s 75; game played March 27, 2026, in Washington.
- Caleb Foster, returning from left-foot surgery performed less than three weeks earlier, scored all 11 of his points in the second half and sparked Duke’s rally.
- Isaiah Evans led Duke with 25 points; Cameron Boozer added 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
- Duke extended its winning streak to 14 games and improved to a 35-2 overall record for the season.
- St. John’s moved to 30-7; Ruben Prey hit four 3-pointers, and the Red Storm shot 9-of-18 from long range in the first half.
- Crucial late-game sequence: Duke led 77-74 with 32.4 seconds left, Boozer missed the front end of a one-and-one, and St. John’s missed a tying 3 at the buzzer.
- Duke will face either No. 2 seed UConn or No. 3 seed Michigan State in Sunday’s East Region final.
Background
The matchup matched top-seeded Duke (35-2) against a surging St. John’s squad (30-7) that had lost just twice in its last 23 games. Duke entered the game on a 14-game winning streak, carrying national title aspirations and the pressure that comes with a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. St. John’s, coached by Rick Pitino, arrived with a reputation for tenacious defense and streaky perimeter shooting; the Red Storm had already upset higher seeds earlier in the bracket to reach the Sweet 16.
In the weeks leading up to the matchup, Duke managed rotation changes and injury watchlists; Caleb Foster’s broken left foot and subsequent surgery were a mid-tournament storyline because he returned to play in under three weeks. St. John’s relied on a mix of veteran coaching and role players—Ruben Prey’s long-range hot streak and Zuby Ejiofor’s physical finishing were key elements of the Red Storm’s game plan. Both teams had contrasting identities: Duke balanced star scoring with size inside, while St. John’s leaned on perimeter shooting and disruptive defense.
Main Event
The first half swung with St. John’s finding open looks from distance; the Red Storm hit four 3-pointers early and led 40-39 at the break after shooting 9-of-18 from beyond the arc in the period. Duke had an 18-5 run earlier to build a lead but struggled to secure the ball at times against St. John’s pressure on inbound plays.
St. John’s opened the second half aggressively, stretching a lead to 53-44 on consecutive plays that included dunks by Zuby Ejiofor and a fourth 3-pointer from Ruben Prey. Duke’s offense went stagnant for stretches and turnovers by the Boozer brothers contributed to St. John’s momentum. With the game tipping away, Duke coach adjusted lineups and inserted Caleb Foster for Cayden Boozer.
Foster’s insertion helped stabilize ball movement and Duke shifted to a zone defense that slowed St. John’s scoring for a span. Duke clawed back from a 10-point deficit; Isaiah Evans hit a go-ahead 3 to put Duke in front 63-62 in the second half, and a series of contested buckets and free throws in the final minutes swung the lead repeatedly. Foster’s pull-up jumper and driving layup in the closing stretch were critical to putting the Blue Devils ahead.
The final minute saw tense free-throw sequences: Duke led 77-74 with 32.4 seconds left when Cameron Boozer missed the front end of a one-and-one. Zuby Ejiofor made one of two at the other end with 14.7 seconds left, leaving St. John’s one possession to tie. Dylan Darling’s deep attempt at the buzzer missed badly, and Boozer sealed the win with two free throws with 1.5 seconds remaining.
Analysis & Implications
Foster’s rapid return and immediate impact alter Duke’s short-term rotation and strategic options. A guard who returned from surgery and contributed all 11 of his points in the second half gives Duke a psychological and tactical boost heading into the regional final, especially if further minutes remain available without medical setback. It also demonstrates Duke’s depth: when Cayden Boozer struggled with turnovers, the bench provided a complementary floor presence.
For St. John’s, the game highlighted both strengths and vulnerabilities. The Red Storm’s perimeter shooting (especially Prey’s hot streak) kept them competitive, and their pressure defense forced turnovers at key moments. Yet the team also showed challenges in late-clock execution and in closing out free-throw sequences; those small margins determined a five-point loss. Pitino’s squad leaves the tournament having validated its season-long surge, but questions about late-game decision-making will follow into the offseason.
National implications: Duke’s victory preserves its status as a favorite in the East Region and keeps the No. 1 seed in the conversation for a national title run. The matchup with UConn or Michigan State will be a test of physicality and halfcourt execution; both potential opponents present different matchup problems. Meanwhile, St. John’s exit reinforces the parity and volatility of the NCAA tournament—hot shooting and streaks can carry a team far, but single-possession endings often decide who advances.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | Duke | St. John’s |
|---|---|---|
| Record (postgame) | 35-2 | 30-7 |
| Final score | 80 | 75 |
| Leading scorers | Isaiah Evans 25; C. Boozer 22 | Multiple contributors; Ruben Prey notable from 3 |
| Key shooting stat (1H) | — | 3PT 9-of-18 (first half) |
| Winning streak | 14 consecutive wins | 2 losses in final 23 games this season |
Context: the table isolates confirmed, game-specific figures reported at the time: final score, season records, and notable individual outputs. Duke’s depth (Evans, Boozer, Foster) and St. John’s perimeter efficiency in the first half were the two dominant storylines. A full box score offers minute-by-minute detail for analysts tracking rotations, shooting splits, and free-throw sequences.
Reactions & Quotes
“Playing less than three weeks after surgery on his left foot, Foster scored all of his 11 points in the second half.”
Associated Press/ESPN game recap
That fact was widely noted after the game as evidence of Foster’s immediate effectiveness and the coaching staff’s willingness to integrate him quickly into key minutes.
“Duke extended the nation’s longest active win streak to 14 games with the victory.”
Associated Press/ESPN game recap
Observers framed the outcome both as an affirmation of Duke’s consistency this season and as a reminder that the tournament’s late stages demand execution under pressure.
Unconfirmed
- No official, detailed medical update has been released publicly about Caleb Foster’s long-term recovery timeline beyond his clearance to play in this game.
- Minute-by-minute rotation plans Duke will use in the East Region final have not been announced and remain subject to coaching adjustments based on matchups and player health.
Bottom Line
Caleb Foster’s unexpected and productive return reshaped Duke’s second-half dynamics and was decisive in a five-point victory over St. John’s, 80-75. The Blue Devils demonstrated resilience in overcoming a 10-point deficit and secured a spot in the East Region final, where they will face UConn or Michigan State on Sunday.
St. John’s exits having validated a strong season and shown the potency of its perimeter shooting and defensive pressure, but the Red Storm came up short on late free throws and a final desperation 3. For Duke, the win preserves a title-contending trajectory; for St. John’s, the loss will be a high point in a breakthrough season and a point of reflection on closing moments.
Sources
- ESPN (sports media — includes Associated Press game recap)