If you were looking for a scoring clinic or a highlight reel of three-pointers, last night’s game in Berkeley probably wasn't for you. But for those who care about grit, defense, and watching a superstar take over when it matters, you're in the right place.
Duke won the basketball game against California 71-56 at Haas Pavilion. It was a late-night affair for those on the East Coast, with the game wrapping up in the early hours of Thursday, January 15, 2026.
Jon Scheyer’s squad continues to prove they can win ugly. They shot poorly from the perimeter and even worse from the free-throw line, yet they walked away with a double-digit ACC road victory. Honestly, that's the mark of a team with championship DNA.
The Reality of Who Won Duke Basketball Game Today
Haas Pavilion was rocking. It was a sell-out crowd, and for about thirty minutes of game time, Cal actually looked like they might pull off the upset. The Golden Bears kept it tight in the first half, trailing by only seven at the break.
The story changed in the second half. Cameron Boozer decided he’d seen enough.
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Boozer was basically a man among boys in the final twenty minutes. He finished with a massive double-double: 21 points and 13 rebounds. This was his eighth double-double of the 2025-26 season. Even Steph Curry, who was reportedly in attendance, noted post-game that Boozer simply "imposed his will" on the smaller Cal frontline.
It wasn't just Cam, though. Isaiah Evans provided the scoring punch Duke needed early on, finishing with 17 points. He was the only Blue Devil who could find the bottom of the net from deep, hitting four of his thirteen attempts. The rest of the team? A dismal 3-for-19.
Key Performance Stats
- Duke Blue Devils: 71
- California Golden Bears: 56
- Top Scorer: Cameron Boozer (21 PTS, 13 REB)
- Bench Spark: Nikolas Khamenia (10 PTS)
Why This Win Matters for the Blue Devils
Duke is now 16-1 overall and a perfect 5-0 in the ACC. That’s a scary start for the rest of the conference.
What’s interesting about this specific game is how they handled adversity. Cayden Boozer got into immediate foul trouble in the second half, picking up his third and fourth fouls in what felt like seconds. Jon Scheyer had to lean on Caleb Foster to steady the ship.
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Foster isn’t putting up the flashy numbers some expected this year, but his veteran presence was obvious late in the game. He didn't force shots. He just made sure the ball got into Boozer’s hands.
The defense was the real MVP here. Duke held Cal to just 26 points in the second half. That’s their lowest scoring output in any half all season. Maliq Brown and Nikolas Khamenia were flies in the ointment for Cal’s shooters, switching everything and contesting every look.
The Shooting Woes
Let’s be real: the shooting was atrocious.
Duke shot under 50% from the free-throw line. You read that right. In a high-level college basketball game, a top-10 team struggled to hit uncontested shots from fifteen feet.
If they do that against a team like North Carolina or Kansas, they lose by twenty. But against a gritty, overmatched Cal team, their rebounding (rebounding 40% of their own misses!) saved them.
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Looking Ahead: The West Coast Trip Continues
Duke doesn't get much time to celebrate. They stay in the Bay Area to face Stanford on Saturday, January 17.
Stanford is a different beast than Cal. They’ve been solid at Maples Pavilion this year, and they have the size to at least make Cameron Boozer work for his touches.
If Duke wants to sweep this California road trip, they’ve got to find their rhythm from the stripe. You can’t rely on a 20-rebound margin every night.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
- Watch the Standings: Duke is currently tied for first in the ACC with Clemson and Miami. Every road win is gold right now.
- Monitor the Injury Report: Caleb Foster played through a minor illness last night. His health is vital for the Stanford matchup.
- Appreciate the Defense: While the offense is "Cam-centric," the defensive metrics for this team are currently top-15 in the country.
Duke is clearly the team to beat in the ACC. They have the star power, the depth, and apparently, the ability to win even when they can't throw a pea into the ocean.
Keep an eye on the Stanford game this Saturday at 6:00 PM PST. It'll be another test of whether this young squad can handle the travel and the pressure of being everyone's "Super Bowl" game.