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Duke’s promising March run came to a sudden end as a second-half collapse handed UConn a comeback victory in the Elite Eight. A commanding first-half showing evaporated, leaving a freshman mistake to occupy headlines and emotions after a game that swung wildly in the final minute.
How a big lead slipped away and the decisive turnover
Duke led by as many as 19 points in the first half. The Blue Devils still held a 15-point edge at the break. The game tightened in the second half as UConn chipped away, then seized control late.
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With roughly 10 seconds remaining and Duke up by two, freshman guard Cayden Boozer lost possession on a pass attempt. The turnover allowed UConn to convert and complete the rally.
- First-half advantage: Duke controlled tempo early and built a sizable lead.
- Second-half momentum shift: UConn clawed back through defense and key baskets.
- Final sequence: Boozer’s turnover in the last 10 seconds flipped the result.
Freshman guard’s emotional response after the loss
Boozer addressed reporters in the Duke locker room, visibly shaken. He described feeling responsible for the result and lamented his choice on the final play.
He said he saw passing options but admitted he rushed the play instead of securing the ball. The young guard repeatedly expressed regret and wished he had made a different decision.
“I turned the ball over,” he conveyed, adding that the moment will stay with him. Tears punctuated his remarks as he accepted accountability.
Coach Scheyer and teammates defend the freshman
Head coach Jon Scheyer refused to pin the loss solely on one player. He praised the team’s effort and took collective responsibility for the outcome.
Scheyer emphasized unity and pride. He said the result is shared by the entire program, not a reflection of a single mistake.
Voices from the locker room
Several teammates stepped up to support Boozer. Forward Dame Sarr publicly rejected the idea that the freshman cost the team its season.
Sarr noted Boozer’s contributions throughout the tournament and insisted the team would not allow him to shoulder the blame alone.
Key takeaways and where both teams go next
The loss ends Duke’s March run and sends UConn to the Final Four. UConn will meet Illinois in the next round.
- Duke: season over; evaluation and offseason work ahead.
- UConn: advances to the Final Four and prepares for Illinois.
- Freshman spotlight: Boozer will carry both the sting and learning from this moment.
What remains uncertain after a dramatic finish
Questions now swirl around Duke’s late-game execution and how the program will address closing ability. Analysts will study the sequence that erased a huge lead.
For UConn, momentum and experience from the comeback will be tested against a strong Illinois squad in Indianapolis.
