Duke basketball off to 10-0 start following road win at Michigan State

Duke basketball is off to its best start under coach Jon Scheyer, taking down Michigan State, 66-60, on the road at the Breslin Center on Saturday, Dec. 6.

No. 4 Duke trailed 34-31 at halftime ― its first halftime deficit since its season opener vs. Texas on Nov. 4 ― but outscored the No. 8/7 Spartans 35-26 in the second half to move to 10-0 on the season. It’s their fifth win ― and third straight ― over a ranked opponent as well.

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Duke trailed some in the second half, too, but used a 15-7 run across the last five minutes and clutch free throws to hold on for the win.

The Blue Devils finished the day 38.2% from the field and 31% from 3, while Michigan State was 31.8% from the field and 36.4% from 3.

Duke now looks ahead to its final two nonconference games before it opens ACC play on Dec. 31. The Blue Devils host Lipscomb on Dec. 16 and play Texas Tech in a neutral site matchup at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 20.

Here are three observations from Duke basketball’s road win at Michigan State.

Cameron Boozer strong second half for Duke basketball

Similar to Duke’s season-opener vs. Texas when Cameron Boozer was held scoreless, the freshman was held to just two points in the first half vs. the Spartans. His lone basket came at the 3-minute mark on a putback layup as he was 1-of-4 from the field across the first 20 minutes. Boozer then came out of the break and was 5-for-5 from the field, finishing the day with 18 points and a career-high 15 rebounds on 53.8% shooting. It marks Boozer’s fifth double-double of the season.

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Boozer did end up fouling out for the first time on the year with 11 seconds left as the Blue Devils’ bigs got into foul trouble late. Maliq Brown finished with four fouls and Patrick Ngongba II three.

Timely Duke free throws late

It was a tied game at 55-all with 1:59 to go after Jeremy Fears Jr. knocked down a pair of free throws for the Spartans. Duke then used free throws of its own to take a lead it would not relinquish.

Boozer was…

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Publish date : 2025-12-06 20:19:00

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