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Evans' winner helps undefeated No. 4 Duke defeat No. 15 Florida
Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) celebrates with guard Isaiah Evans (3). Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Isaiah Evans' game-winner helps undefeated No. 4 Duke defeat No. 15 Florida

Two of the premier programs in college basketball did battle Tuesday night.

The No. 15-ranked Florida Gators traveled to Cameron Indoor Stadium for a matchup with the No. 4-ranked Duke Blue Devils. The contest between the two top-15 teams was a part of the NCAA's ACC/SEC challenge during V Week.

It was ultimately the Blue Devils coming away with a 67-66 victory, thanks in part to a game-winning three-pointer from Isaiah Evans with 17.9 seconds remaining

Made it when it counted

Prior to the game winner for Evans, he'd missed his first seven three-point shots of the game. It was an unusually off night for Evans, as he entered shooting 35.2% from three this season and 39.9% from distance in his career.

Those first seven shots are an afterthought now as the sophomore guard knocked down his biggest shot of the game to help keep his team undefeated through its first eight games.

Cameron Boozer's big night led the charge

Even with Evans' game-winning three, it was still the Cameron Boozer show, much like it's been all season. Boozer poured in 29 points and six rebounds, just one game after he scored 35 points. 

Boozer has been a star in the first eight games of his college career, averaging 23.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. He is well on his way to being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

The schedules ahead

The tough schedules for both teams will continue as two of Florida's next three games will be against ranked opponents in No. 7 Michigan State and No. 19 Texas Tech

Florida will play again a week from Tuesday at home against No. 5 UConn. A loss for the Gators in that game would give them a 5-4 record through nine games, which would mark their worst start to a season through nine games since the 2018-19 season.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan. 

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