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Final Score: Duke 71, Siena 65.
The miracle upset is not to be as Siena did not have the legs and apparently the depth in the second half. Sienna's amazing shooting from the first 20 minutes fizzled out during the second half. This game was a matter of Pros versus Joes. Duke gets by with its athleticism and talent, though Siena fought valiantly. Duke looks vulnerable. The Blue Devils should get by TCU on Saturday, though a loss in the Sweet Sixteen is not out of the question. Make the jump to read my running live reactions of the second half of this game.
Final Four Minutes Live Reactions
Duke leads 69-65 with 10 seconds remaining following a Justice Shoats layup. Duke is going to survive, but the Blue Devils have left the door open a bit, with Cam Boozer having another bad turnover and Evans missing a free throw. However, Duke continues to get the offensive boards. Siena has finally subbed someone with 10 seconds into the game as Mulvey fouls out.
Duke leads 67-61 with 1:30 remaining following a Cayden Boozer layup. Sienna hasn't score in more than 6 minutes. Dame Sarr had a big block of Mulvey at the rim during this stretch.
Second Half, Under-4 Live Reactions
Duke leads 63-61 with 3:56 remaining. It took 15 minutes of the second half, but Duke has taken the lead. A 2-point advantage feels like 10 at this point as Siena just can't get any offense going, running down clock and throwing up bad misses. The hot shooting of the first half is gone as the Saints are running on an empty. An Evans layup gave Duke the lead after Cam Boozer split free throws to tie the game. The refs have actually been pretty fair this half, with no major foul discrepancy. Sienna does have 7 fouls, Duke 3, but it hasn't been egregious. Sienna is just dead at this point.
Second Half, Under-8 Live Reactions
Siena leads 61-60 with 5:47 remaining. Siena is playing hard but seems to be hitting the wall. Big man Francis Folefac has used two nice pump fakes to get a layup and three, and Gavin Doty hit a three. While Duke is settling a bit for threes, the Blue Devils are getting a lot of offensive rebounds. Athleticism and skill are taking over. Duke's Cayden Boozer has been better than his brother Cam, who had two bad turnovers in that stretch. This seems to be the point of the game where Duke will get and not relinquish the lead. Siena desperately needed that T.V. timeout to rest.
Second Half, Under-12 Live Reactions
Duke timeout with 12:30 remaining. Sienna leads 53-49. Duke was on a 11-0 run following a Dame Sarr dunk. Siena has gotten two big threes from Brendan Coyle. However, the Saints Riley Mulvey missed two chippies at the rim. Duke is getting easier baskets, Sienna isn't. The Saints seem to be wearing down. It will be a miracle if Siena wins with all five starters playing 40 minutes. It feels like a matter of time before Duke gets ahead. Siena is trying to slow down Duke with a zone, which is a smart call on the half of Head Coach Gerry McNamara.
Siena timeout with 14:31 remaining. Siena's lead is down to 47-43. The Saints are 1/9 from the field this half. Duke is throwing a 2-1-2 full-court zone, and the Saints are having a hard time getting good shots. Fouls are even at three apiece this half. Duke has outscored Sienna 11-4 with Nikolas Khamenia hitting a three and Cayden Boozer getting a layup.
Second Half, Under-16 Live Reactions
Siena leads 47-38 with 16:00 remaining. The Saints are getting the ball inside but have missed two dunks. Duke's Isaiah Evans has two fast-break dunks. Duke has gone to a zone to try to limit Sienna paint touches. Duke looks a little rattled at the point guard spot with Caleb Foster out; however, this is a game where Duke will get a lot of whistles if it posts up. Pay attention to the fouls the next four minutes. Siena has not played a reserve yet!
A major historic upset is brewing in the East region with #16 seed Siena up 11 points on #1 Duke! Follow along my live running reactions of the second half.
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