Isaiah Evans' 32-Point Masterpiece Carries Shorthanded Duke Over Florida State

In a night defined by grit and a homecoming for the ages, sophomore guard Isaiah Evans delivered a legendary performance to propel top-seeded Duke to an 80-79 victory over Florida State in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals. Playing in the familiar confines of Charlotte's Spectrum Center, Evans looked every bit the hometown hero, exploding for a career-high 32 points. His scoring barrage, highlighted by seven three-pointers, was exactly what the Blue Devils needed on a night when their depth was tested to the limit.

Duke entered the matchup severely shorthanded, missing two regular starters. Point guard Caleb Foster remains sidelined indefinitely with a broken right foot, while big man Patrick Ngongba II was out due to ongoing foot soreness. Despite these absences, Jon Scheyer’s squad showcased the championship mettle that has them ranked No. 1 in the nation. The victory improves the Blue Devils to a staggering 30-2 on the season, keeping their hopes alive for a third ACC title in four years.

The game was far from a cakewalk. Florida State, led by 28 points from Lajae Jones and 25 from Robert McCray V, capitalized on Duke's early lack of rhythm to build a 59-51 lead midway through the second half. However, Evans sparked a decisive 19-2 run that flipped the momentum entirely. Alongside him, freshman sensation and ACC Player of the Year Cameron Boozer was a force inside, contributing 23 points and 10 rebounds. Boozer’s ability to draw double teams opened up the perimeter for Evans, who shot 11-of-20 from the floor.

Defensively, Maliq Brown proved why he was named the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year. Brown snatched 12 rebounds, including eight on the offensive glass, and recorded three crucial steals during Duke’s second-half surge. His hustle plays were the backbone of a Duke effort that saw the Blue Devils dominate the boards 46-25, yielding 24 second-chance points.

The final moments were a masterclass in tension. Florida State clawed back to within one point in the dying seconds. After a Chauncey Wiggins block on Boozer with seven seconds left, the Seminoles had a chance to steal the win at the buzzer. However, Robert McCray V’s three-point attempt rimmed out, allowing Duke to escape with the win. The Blue Devils now turn their attention to the semifinals, where they remain the favorites to cut down the nets in Charlotte.