On March 27, 2026 in Washington, top-seeded Duke overcame a second-half deficit to defeat fifth-seeded St. John’s 80-75 and advance to the Elite Eight. Caleb Foster, returning less than three weeks after left-foot surgery for a broken foot, scored all 11 of his points in the second half as Duke erased a 10-point deficit. Isaiah Evans led Duke with 25 points while Cameron Boozer added 22 points and 10 rebounds. St. John’s rallied several times—highlighted by Zuby Ejiofor’s 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists—but ultimately fell short in a close finish.
Key Takeaways
- Duke 80, St. John’s 75: Final score in Washington on March 27, 2026, sending Duke to the East Region final.
- Caleb Foster returned from surgery and scored 11 second-half points after left-foot surgery less than three weeks earlier.
- Isaiah Evans led Duke with 25 points; Cameron Boozer posted 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Blue Devils (35-2), who extended their winning streak to 14 games.
- Zuby Ejiofor finished with 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists for St. John’s, which fell to 30-7 on the season.
- Duke overcame a 10-point second-half deficit and held off a late St. John’s comeback in the final 30 seconds.
- Ruben Prey heated up from deep early, making multiple 3-pointers and helping St. John’s lead 40-39 at halftime.
- The game-deciding sequence: Duke led 77-74 with 32.4 seconds left; after missed free throws and a turnover, Cameron Boozer sank two free throws with 1.5 seconds remaining to seal the win.
Background
The matchup pitted No. 1 overall seed Duke—favored to make a deep tournament run—against a gritty St. John’s squad that entered as the tournament’s fifth seed. Duke entered the game on a 14-game win streak and carried a 35-2 record; St. John’s had gone 30-7 and had lost just twice in its final 23 games this season. The programs have contrasting postseason pedigrees: Duke with a long history of deep NCAA runs, and St. John’s under coach Rick Pitino enjoying a breakthrough season built on pressure defense and timely perimeter shooting.
St. John’s approached the game with a physical, press-heavy style designed to disrupt Duke’s ball handlers—an approach that had served them well in earlier rounds. Duke, coached by Jon Scheyer, relied on its depth and veteran postseason experience but faced a late-game turnover and foul trouble that allowed the Red Storm to seize momentum in the second half. The matchup also carried storylines off the court: Caleb Foster’s rapid return from surgery and St. John’s roster makeup, with senior contributors nearing the end of their eligibility.
Main Event
The first half featured hot shooting from St. John’s, including multiple early 3-pointers that put the Red Storm ahead 40-39 at the break. Ruben Prey went to the basket from deep repeatedly, finishing with several made 3s that energized St. John’s and unsettled Duke’s defense. Duke had a strong stretch late in the first half—an 18-5 run—that produced a 35-28 lead before the Red Storm’s perimeter surge closed the gap.
In the second half Duke became sloppy early, committing turnovers that translated into easy points for St. John’s. A sequence of steals and dunks gave St. John’s a 53-44 advantage, and the Red Storm opened a 10-point lead before Duke mounted its comeback. Coach Scheyer substituted Caleb Foster for Cayden Boozer in the backcourt; Foster steadied the offense and helped Duke change to a zone that slowed St. John’s momentum.
Duke chipped away and eventually took a 63-62 lead on a 3-pointer by Isaiah Evans. Late in the game, the teams traded baskets and free throws. With 32.4 seconds left Duke led 77-74 after Cameron Boozer missed the front end of a one-and-one. Zuby Ejiofor was fouled at the other end with 14.7 seconds remaining and made one of two free throws; Isaiah Evans then made one of two, leaving St. John’s down 78-75. Dylan Darling’s potential game-tying 3 rimmed out, and Cameron Boozer’s two free throws with 1.5 seconds left sealed Duke’s 80-75 victory.
Analysis & Implications
Duke’s comeback underscores its depth and ability to absorb pressure late in high-stakes tournament play. Isaiah Evans and Cameron Boozer produced efficient scoring and rim presence, while Foster’s unexpected return added a timely offensive spark. The win preserves Duke’s status as a national title contender and sets up an East Region final against either No. 2 UConn or No. 3 Michigan State on Sunday—an opponent that will present its own matchup challenges.
For St. John’s, the loss is a tough end to a breakthrough season. The Red Storm demonstrated the perimeter shooting and physical defense that carried them deep into March, but struggled to contain Duke’s interior finishing in the final stretch. The result may accelerate roster turnover conversations: Zuby Ejiofor is a fourth-year player and Bryce Hopkins a fifth-year contributor, leaving questions about how the program will reload for next season.
Medical and roster implications deserve attention. Foster’s return so soon after foot surgery raises short-term optimism about his toughness and availability, but it also poses questions about long-term recovery and re-injury risk—areas that will require monitoring by Duke’s medical staff. Strategically, opposing teams will study how Duke managed the late-game possession and used Foster to shift tempo and ball security.
Comparison & Data
| Team | Record (after game) | Leading Scorer | Notable stat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke | 35-2 | Isaiah Evans (25) | 14-game winning streak |
| St. John’s | 30-7 | Zuby Ejiofor (17) | Lost 2nd time in final 23 games |
The table highlights Duke’s superior win-loss record and longer current streak versus St. John’s late-season surge. Statistically, Duke’s ability to limit second-half turnovers after Foster’s insertion and to convert free throws in the final seconds proved decisive. St. John’s strong first-half 3-point accuracy (multiple early triples, including several by Ruben Prey) kept the game competitive.
Reactions & Quotes
“To be honest, he had no business playing tonight — 99 percent of guys do not come back to play under the circumstances of what’s happened to him,”
Jon Scheyer, Duke head coach (postgame)
Scheyer praised Foster’s courage and impact after the game, crediting his return for stabilizing Duke’s offense when ballhandling lapses had become costly.
“It was our defense that broke down… We just got bullied to the basket,”
Rick Pitino, St. John’s head coach (postgame)
Pitino acknowledged Duke’s physical drives to the rim and suggested that those interior attacks were the difference in the closing minutes. He also proposed altering postgame podium order to give the losing team time in the locker room.
“They’re one of the most physical teams we played all year… we did a pretty good job overall,”
Cameron Boozer, Duke forward (on St. John’s pressure)
Boozer emphasized the physical test St. John’s presented and credited Duke’s team defense and composure for surviving stretches of turnovers.
Unconfirmed
- Long-term status of Caleb Foster’s foot: while he returned this game, durable recovery timelines and re-injury risk have not been publicly confirmed by Duke’s medical staff.
- Opponent for Duke in the East final: while listed as either UConn or Michigan State, the matchup will be finalized after the winner of their pending game; specifics of matchups and adjustments remain pending.
Bottom Line
Duke’s 80-75 win over St. John’s preserves its status as a top national contender and showcases the program’s postseason depth, with Caleb Foster’s rapid comeback providing a surprising late boost. The Blue Devils will now prepare for the East Region final with momentum but must manage Foster’s recovery and game-to-game rotation carefully.
St. John’s leaves the tournament having exceeded many expectations; the Red Storm’s pressure defense and perimeter hitting made them a dangerous March team. Their seniors’ eligibility and potential roster changes will shape how the program capitalizes on this season’s success.