Duke Dominates Pittsburgh 70-54 Behind Isaiah Evans' 21 Points

Duke's high-powered offense was on full display at the Petersen Events Center, as the Blue Devils cruised to a 70-54 victory over Pittsburgh. Isaiah Evans led the charge with 21 points, while Cameron Boozer and Caleb Foster chipped in with 17 and 14 points, respectively. The win marked Duke's 22nd of the season, solidifying their position as one of the top teams in the country.

The game got off to a rocky start for Pittsburgh, as Duke jumped out to a 35-29 halftime lead. The Blue Devils' offense was clicking on all cylinders, with Evans and Boozer combining for 20 points in the first half. Roman Siulepa kept the Panthers in the game with 12 points of his own, but it wasn't enough to overcome Duke's balanced attack. In the second half, Duke continued to pull away, outscoring Pittsburgh 35-25 to seal the 16-point victory.

CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had Duke winning by 21.5 points, and while the final margin was slightly smaller, the outcome was never really in doubt. Duke's dominance was evident from the opening tip, as they controlled the tempo and limited Pittsburgh's scoring opportunities. The Panthers' top performer, Roman Siulepa, had a game-high 19 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Blue Devils' depth and talent.

The win was a Quadrant 2 victory for Duke, while Pittsburgh suffered a Quadrant 1 loss. Despite the loss, the game was a valuable opportunity for the Panthers to test themselves against one of the nation's best teams. For Duke, the win was another notch in their belt as they continue to build their resume for the tournament. With a current NET ranking of 3, the Blue Devils are poised to make a deep run in the postseason.

As the season enters its final stretch, games like this matters in determining tournament seeding and positioning. For Duke, the win was a reflection of their strength and depth, while Pittsburgh want to regroup and refocus as they head into the final weeks of the regular season. The Blue Devils' impressive performance will undoubtedly keep them near the top of the rankings, and they want to continue their winning ways as they pursue a conference championship.