Duke's Caleb Foster Inspires Epic Comeback to Reach Elite Eight
In a thrilling NCAA Tournament showdown, Duke guard Caleb Foster made a heroic return from a broken foot, sparking a dramatic second-half rally to propel the top-seeded Blue Devils past St John's 80-75 on Friday night. The victory extends Duke's nation-leading winning streak to 14 games and secures their spot in the Elite Eight of March Madness.
Foster's Return Ignites Blue Devils
Playing less than three weeks after surgery on his left foot, Foster scored all 11 of his points in the second half, providing a crucial boost as Duke erased a 10-point deficit. His performance was complemented by standout efforts from Isaiah Evans, who poured in 25 points, and Cameron Boozer, who added 22 points and 10 rebounds. The Blue Devils (35-2) faced a relentless challenge from the tenacious Red Storm (30-7), who pushed the game to the wire in a nail-biting finish.
Late-Game Drama and Key Plays
The tension peaked in the final seconds when Duke led 77-74 with 32.4 seconds remaining. After Boozer missed a free throw, St John's Zuby Ejiofor drew a foul but made only one of two attempts, leaving the score at 78-75. Evans also split a pair of free throws, giving the Red Storm one last chance to tie. However, Dylan Darling, who had previously hit a buzzer-beater against Kansas, missed a deep three-pointer, and Boozer sealed the win with two free throws at 1.5 seconds left.
St John's Strong Effort Falls Short
St John's, coached by Rick Pitino, suffered just their second loss in 23 games and only Pitino's second defeat in 14 Sweet 16 appearances. The Red Storm started the second half strong, capitalizing on Duke turnovers to build a lead, with Ejiofor's dunks and Ruben Prey's three-pointers highlighting their surge. Despite shooting 9 of 18 from beyond the arc in the first half, they couldn't maintain momentum against Duke's defensive adjustments and Foster's offensive spark.
Looking Ahead to Elite Eight Clash
Duke now advances to face second-seeded UConn in the East Region final on Sunday. In other Sweet 16 action, UConn held off Michigan State 67-63, Michigan defeated Alabama 90-77 to reach the Elite Eight, and Tennessee beat Iowa State 76-62. These results set up high-stakes matchups as the tournament progresses toward the Final Four.
The Blue Devils' resilience, fueled by Foster's timely return, underscores their championship aspirations in a March Madness filled with surprises and intense competition.
