Isaiah Evans stands out as No. 6 Duke edges Florida State

Isaiah Evans Stands Out as No. 6 Duke Edges Florida State 91-87

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — In a thrilling ACC showdown that went down to the wire, sophomore guard Isaiah Evans delivered a career-defining performance, scoring a game-high and personal-best 28 points to propel No. 6 Duke to a hard-fought 91-87 victory over Florida State on Saturday afternoon at the Donald L. Tucker Center.

Evans, known for his sharpshooting prowess, caught fire from beyond the arc, draining six 3-pointers on 14 attempts while going 8-of-17 from the field overall and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line. His explosion marked the first time this season a Blue Devil other than freshman sensation Cameron Boozer led the team in scoring, underscoring Duke’s growing depth.

The game was a high-octane affair from the tip, with both teams trading blows in a 3-point barrage. Florida State, which leads the nation in 3-point attempts per game, lived up to its reputation by knocking down 14 of 30 from deep (46.7%) and shooting 53.4% overall. The Seminoles jumped out to an early 17-11 lead, fueled by hot shooting that saw them hit 5 of their first 6 triples.

Duke (now 13-1, 2-0 ACC) struggled early on the road, trailing for much of the first half as FSU’s pressure forced turnovers and disrupted the Blue Devils’ rhythm. However, a late 7-2 run allowed Duke to tie the score at 42-42 heading into halftime, with Evans and Boozer each contributing 10 points in the opening frame.

The second half saw Duke seize momentum out of the locker room. Evans splashed a corner 3 on the Blue Devils’ first possession after intermission, igniting a quick spurt that gave Duke its first lead. Despite Florida State’s resilient response—an 13-4 run that reclaimed a 59-55 advantage—the Blue Devils answered with a decisive 12-2 surge midway through the period, pushing ahead 74-65.

Evans was at the heart of Duke’s offensive outburst, scoring 18 of his 28 points in the second half, including four crucial 3-pointers that kept the Seminoles at bay.

Isaiah Evans stands out as No. 6 Duke edges Florida State – Field …

Supporting Evans was Cameron Boozer, who, despite heavy defensive attention, tallied 17 points, a career-high nine assists, five rebounds, and four steals—the most by any Blue Devil this season. Boozer’s playmaking was vital, as Duke assisted on 23 of 28 made field goals (82.1% assist rate, a season high).

Guards Caleb Foster and Dame Sarr each added 13 points, with both hitting three 3-pointers, while center Patrick Ngongba II chipped in 10 points. Duke shot 52.8% from the field and 44.4% (12-of-27) from deep, while dominating the free-throw line at 92% (23-of-25).

For Florida State (7-8, 0-2 ACC), Chauncey Wiggins tied his career high with 22 points (4-of-5 from 3), Robert McCray V also scored 22 with five assists, and Kobe MaGee added 17 points on four triples. The Seminoles refused to fold, cutting Duke’s lead to two points late on a MaGee 3-pointer with 23 seconds left. But Evans calmly sank two free throws, and Foster sealed the win at the line.

Head coach Jon Scheyer praised Evans postgame: “Isaiah was phenomenal. When he’s hitting shots like that, we’re a different team. But it was a total effort—Cameron facilitating, our defense stepping up in key moments. Road wins in the ACC are never easy.”

The victory marks Duke’s second narrow conference win to start league play and improves their all-time series lead over FSU to 46-11. The Blue Devils now head to No. 16 Louisville on Tuesday, while Florida State hosts N.C. State next.

Evans’ breakout not only secured the win but signaled his emergence as a reliable second scoring option alongside Boozer, giving Duke another weapon as they navigate a grueling ACC slate. In a game defined by perimeter firepower, it was Evans’ hot hand that ultimately tipped the scales.