Photos: Duke avoids the upset after trailing Siena at the half
By Ethan Hyman and
Robert Willett
The No. 1 seeded Duke Blue Devils rallied to defeat the No. 16 seeded Siena Saints 71-65 fter trailing 43-32 at the half in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., Thursday, March 19, 2026. The lackluster Blue Devils were not able to take the lead until late in the second half behind Cameron Boozer.
Duke was sluggish on both ends of the floor and Duke starters Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba II are still injured and are not playing.
Duke tied the score 61-61 at the 1:55 mark in the second half and a 6-minute scoring drought by Sienna allowed the Blue Devils to extend the lead.
Keep checking back for more images from the game.
Duke’s Cameron Boozer (12) keeps the ball from Siena’s Riley Mulvey (55) during the second half of Duke’s 71-65 victory over Siena in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., Thursday, March 19, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Siena's Gavin Doty (4) celebrates hitting a three-pointer during the first half of Duke’s game against Siena in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., Thursday, March 19, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer is upset they were called for a foul in the first half of Duke’s game against Siena in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., Thursday, March 19, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Darren Harris (8) tries to control a loose ball as Siena’s Riley Mulvey (55) comes induring the second half of Duke’s 71-65 victory over Siena in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., Thursday, March 19, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Isaiah Evans (3) goes up to slam in two during Duke’s 71-65 victory over Siena in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., Thursday, March 19, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Cameron Boozer (12) drives to the basket as Siena’s Riley Mulvey (55) defends during the second half of Duke’s 71-65 victory over Siena in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., Thursday, March 19, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Darren Harris (8) tries to control a loose ball as Siena’s Riley Mulvey (55) comes induring the second half of Duke’s 71-65 victory over Siena in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., Thursday, March 19, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke forward Cameron Boozer (12) harnesses a defensive rebound in the second half against Siena on Thursday, March 18, 2026, during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Arena in Greenville, S.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Siena guard Justice Shoats (0) recovers a loose ball from Duke forward Cameron Boozer (12) in the second half on Thursday, March 18, 2026, during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Arena in Greenville, S.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Duke forward Maliq Brown (6) recovers a loose ball and passes to forward Isaiah Evans (3) in the second half against Siena on Thursday, March 18, 2026, during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Arena in Greenville, S.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Cayden Boozer (2) and Cameron Boozer (12) walk back to the bench after Duke’s 71-65 victory over Siena in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., Thursday, March 19, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Siena center Riley Mulvey (55) and guard Gavin Doty (4) trap Duke forward Cameron Boozer (12) in the second half on Thursday, March 18, 2026, during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Arena in Greenville, S.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Cayden Boozer (2) and Cameron Boozer (12) walk back to the bench after Duke’s 71-65 victory over Siena in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., Thursday, March 19, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Siena forward Brendan Coyle (21) reacts after a three-point basket in the second half against Duke on Thursday, March 18, 2026, during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Arena in Greenville, S.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Dame Sarr (7) blocks the shot by Siena’s Riley Mulvey (55) in the second half of Duke’s 71-65 victory over Siena in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., Thursday, March 19, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Isaiah Evans (3) slams in two during Duke’s 71-65 victory over Siena in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., Thursday, March 19, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke guard Dame Sarr (7) hangs on the rim after a dunk over Siena guard Brendan Coyle (21) to pull the Blue Devils to within two points in the second half on Thursday, March 18, 2026, during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Arena in Greenville, S.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Cayden Boozer (2) drives through the defense of Siena’s Francis Folefac (11) and Riley Mulvey (55) in the second half of Duke’s 71-65 victory over Siena in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., Thursday, March 19, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke coach Jon Scheyer directs his team on defense as they cut into the Siena lead during the second half on Thursday, March 18, 2026, during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Arena in Greenville, S.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Cayden Boozer (2) celebrates with Nikolas Khamenia (14) during the second half of Duke’s 71-65 victory over Siena in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., Thursday, March 19, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Cameron Boozer (12) heads to the locker room after Duke’s 71-65 victory over Siena in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., Thursday, March 19, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Siena forward Brendan Coyle (21) covers his face as he leaves the court following their 71-65 loss to Duke on Thursday, March 18, 2026, during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Arena in Greenville, S.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
This story was originally published March 19, 2026 at 4:06 PM.
