Duke Bounces Back with Convincing Win Over Pitt Behind Isaiah Evans’ Big Night
It didn’t take long for Duke to shake off the sting of its rivalry loss to UNC. Just three days later, the Blue Devils went into a tough road environment at the Petersen Events Center and handled business, beating Pitt 70-54 in a game that showed both resilience and depth.
Now sitting at 22-2 overall and 11-1 in the ACC, the No. 4/6 Blue Devils looked every bit like a team with championship aspirations. And while the final score shows a comfortable win, this one had its moments-especially early on.
Isaiah Evans Leads the Charge
Freshman guard Isaiah Evans put on a clinic, going 8-for-10 from the field and finishing with 21 points. He was efficient, confident, and aggressive-exactly what Duke needed after a tough offensive outing in Chapel Hill. Whether it was pulling up in transition or attacking the rim, Evans looked like a player who’s finding his rhythm at the right time.
Cameron Boozer did what he does-stuffing the stat sheet with 17 points and 10 rebounds. His presence on both ends of the floor continues to be a steadying force for this team. And Caleb Foster chipped in with 14 points and five assists, showing off the kind of poise and playmaking that’s become his trademark.
No Ngongba, No Problem (Sort of)
Duke was without starting center Patrick Ngongba II, who sat out with a wrist injury suffered during the UNC game. That absence left a noticeable hole in the frontcourt, and head coach Jon Scheyer didn’t sugarcoat it.
“Pat is one of the most impactful players in the country,” Scheyer said postgame. “Rim protection, passing, scoring-he gives us a lot. And we missed that tonight.”
Maliq Brown got the start in his place and battled, but foul trouble limited his impact. He finished with just two points and fouled out late in the second half.
Still, Duke found ways to adapt. Boozer slid into the five spot at times, and the team leaned heavily on its perimeter defense and rebounding to make up for the size disadvantage.
Defense Sets the Tone
Pitt came out swinging, jumping to a six-point lead just three minutes into the game. But Duke didn’t panic.
They tightened up defensively, took a lead into halftime, and never let go. The Blue Devils outscored the Panthers 35-25 in the second half, locking down passing lanes and forcing tough shots.
Scheyer praised the team’s response, especially given the makeshift lineups they had to run without Ngongba.
“We had some lineups out there we’ve never even practiced,” Scheyer said. “But our defense carried us. A bunch of guys stepped up.”
Caleb Foster Continues to Impress
Caleb Foster’s stat line was solid, but his impact went beyond the numbers. He controlled the tempo, got into the paint, and made smart reads all game long. His ability to both score and create for others gave Duke the balance it needed offensively.
“Caleb was terrific,” Scheyer said. “He’s so consistent with who he is every day.
He’s a really good leader. I love going through these battles with him.”
Slower Pace, Smarter Play
With Ngongba out and the game taking on a more methodical pace, Duke leaned into it. They didn’t rush possessions.
They valued each trip down the floor. And on the defensive end, they stayed locked in.
Scheyer noted how the slower tempo actually worked in Duke’s favor under the circumstances.
“You can get antsy on offense when you're not getting the ball for a while,” he said. “But without Pat, it gave us a chance to collect ourselves and make sure we played with really good effort on defense.”
Looking Ahead
This was more than just a bounce-back win-it was a statement. Duke showed it can win on the road, win without a key starter, and win ugly if it has to. And with the ACC standings tightening up, every game matters.
The Blue Devils now turn their attention to a pivotal matchup on Saturday, one that could have major implications for the top spot in the conference. But if Tuesday night was any indication, this team is locked in and ready for the stretch run.