Blue Devils’ D tops Clemson for a berth in ACC title game 

MATT LACZKO | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Duke's Cayden Boozer scored 16 points on 50% shooting in the Blue Devils' 73-61 win against Clemson in the ACC semifinals at Spectrum Center. Boozer and Nik Khamenia, who scored 14 points as a reserve, are playing more due to injuries to starters Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba.

The Duke Blue Devils are through to the ACC championship game.

Unlike the quarterfinal game against Florida State that came down to the final seconds, their semifinal win against Clemson was a comfortable 73-61 result. In a game that was close early, Duke used a defensive onslaught during the final 10 minutes of the first half to go into intermission up by 19. The final margin was closer but never in jeopardy.

“I thought for us to gain control, our defense was terrific,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said. “I thought it was a great response. And Nik [Khamenia], man, just what a job he did coming off the bench. He gave us energy on offense, defense. He did everything for us, but great collective effort, and now we gotta go get some rest and get ready for one more.”

Khamenia has been a key reserve but is now playing more minutes due to injuries to guard Caleb Foster and center Patrick Ngongba. Khamenia scored 14 points and went 3-for-6 from three-point range. He added six rebounds and an assist in just over 30 minutes.

MATT LACZKO | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Clemson's R.J. Godfrey throws down a dunk for two of his team-high 18 points in their 73-61 loss in the ACC tournament semifinals March 13, 2026 at Spectrum Center.

“[This game] was big for me,” Khamenia said. “I grew up dreaming about games like this, and you know, with [Foster] and Pat out, those are my brothers. They've been big for us all year, so to come in the game, have their back, and that’s all I tried to do today, just make winning plays.”

Duke forward Cameron Boozer, the ACC’s player of the year, finished with 24 points, 14 rebounds and five assists. He was 6-for-9 from the floor and 9-for-12 from the free throw line. 

Boozer’s brother Cayden came into his own against the Tigers in a starting role with 16 points on 50% shooting, which Scheyer thought gave the Blue Devils a lift. 

“I’m really proud of Cayden,” Scheyer said. “Yesterday (against Florida State) was a different kind of game. To bounce back with the confidence and control over his game, I just thought he made big plays. He’s grown so much, and those guys have been terrific for us.”

The Blue Devils will turn their attention to Virginia, which won the other semifinal game against Miami 84-62. Duke and Virginia played on Feb. 28 at Duke with the Blue Devils cruising to a 77-51 win. 
“I'll re-watch the game tonight,” Scheyer said. “They have big time firepower. I just think they’re so connected. And coach [Ryan] Odom has done an incredible job with his team.”

Foster is still out for the foreseeable future, but Scheyer reported a positive update on Ngongba. 

“As far as Pat goes, Pat’s working his butt off every day,” Scheyer said. “He took another really good step with our medical team today, and so he’s trending in a great direction from where he's going, which is exciting, exciting for me.”

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