Syracuse basketball falls short against No. 3 Duke

Orange unable to overcome Blue Devils' home dominance at Cameron Indoor Stadium

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The Syracuse basketball team faced a tough challenge on the road against the third-ranked Duke Blue Devils, ultimately falling short in a closely contested matchup at the iconic Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina.

Why it matters

This game was an important test for the Syracuse Orange as they look to solidify their position for a potential NCAA Tournament berth. Duke's home court advantage and strong overall record made them a formidable opponent, and the outcome of this game could have significant implications for Syracuse's postseason hopes.

The details

Despite a strong effort, the Syracuse Orange were unable to overcome the Blue Devils' dominance at home. Duke, led by head coach Jon Scheyer, extended their impressive home winning streak to 30 games with the victory over Syracuse. The Orange were led by a standout performance from freshman guard Kiyan Anthony, who scored 13 second-half points, but it ultimately wasn't enough to overcome Duke's balanced attack.

  • The game was played on Monday, February 16, 2026 at 7:00 PM EST.
  • Duke extended their home winning streak to 30 games with the victory over Syracuse.

The players

Jon Scheyer

The head coach of the Duke Blue Devils, who has an impressive 60-3 record at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Kiyan Anthony

A freshman guard for the Syracuse Orange who scored 13 second-half points in the losing effort.

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What they’re saying

“We knew coming into this game that Duke would be a tough challenge, especially on their home court. While we fought hard, they were just too much for us to overcome tonight.”

— Adrian Autry, Head Coach, Syracuse Orange (syracuse.com)

What’s next

The Syracuse Orange will look to rebound from this loss as they continue their quest for an NCAA Tournament berth, with five regular season games remaining. Their next game is scheduled for Saturday, February 21st against the North Carolina Tar Heels.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the continued dominance of the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium, as well as the challenges facing the Syracuse Orange as they fight to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament. While the Orange put up a strong effort, Duke's home-court advantage and overall talent proved to be too much to overcome on this night.