Duke rallies past St. John's 80-75 to reach Elite Eight

Caleb Foster's return from injury sparks Blue Devils' comeback victory

Mar. 28, 2026 at 2:37am

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Caleb Foster scored 11 second-half points to help Duke rally from a 10-point deficit and defeat St. John's 80-75 in the Sweet 16. Isaiah Evans led the Blue Devils with 25 points, while Cameron Boozer added 22 points and 10 rebounds. The win extends Duke's winning streak to 14 games and sends them to the Elite Eight.

Why it matters

Duke, the tournament's top overall seed, proved its resilience by overcoming a determined St. John's squad that had pushed the Blue Devils to the wire. Caleb Foster's gutsy return from injury was a key factor in Duke's comeback, showcasing the team's depth and mental toughness as they pursue a national championship.

The details

After falling behind by 10 points early in the second half, Duke inserted Caleb Foster, who had missed time with a broken foot, and the Blue Devils were able to steady the offense and rally. A 3-pointer by Isaiah Evans put Duke ahead 63-62, and the teams traded baskets down the stretch before Duke pulled away late.

  • Duke trailed by 10 points with 12 minutes remaining in the second half.
  • Caleb Foster checked into the game to help Duke's comeback effort.
  • Isaiah Evans hit a 3-pointer to give Duke the lead at 63-62 with under 8 minutes left.
  • Duke held a 77-74 lead with 32 seconds remaining and held on for the 80-75 victory.

The players

Caleb Foster

Duke guard who returned from a broken foot to score 11 second-half points and spark the Blue Devils' comeback.

Isaiah Evans

Duke guard who led all scorers with 25 points, including a key 3-pointer that put the Blue Devils ahead late.

Cameron Boozer

Duke forward who recorded a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds.

Zuby Ejiofor

St. John's forward who finished with 17 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists in the losing effort.

Rick Pitino

St. John's head coach who led the Red Storm to the Sweet 16 before falling to Duke.

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What they’re saying

“To be honest, he had no business playing tonight — 99 percent of guys do not come back to play under the circumstances of what's happened to him. It was incredible the way he willed us.”

— Jon Scheyer, Duke head coach

“They're one of the most physical teams we played all year. It's something we talked about every single day, just their physicality, their pressure. I thought we did a pretty good job overall. We had some stretches where we gave them a run with turnovers, but through the game overall we did a pretty good job weathering the storm.”

— Cameron Boozer, Duke forward

“It was our defense that broke down. It wasn't so much not being in the right place. We just got bullied to the basket. They do that to a lot of teams. That's why they're the No. 1-ranked team in the country. We couldn't defend the bully drives.”

— Rick Pitino, St. John's head coach

What’s next

Duke will face either second-seeded UConn or third-seeded Michigan State in Sunday's East Region final with a trip to the Final Four on the line.

The takeaway

Duke's grit and resilience were on full display as they rallied from a double-digit deficit to defeat a tough St. John's squad and advance to the Elite Eight. Caleb Foster's return from injury provided a crucial boost, showcasing the Blue Devils' depth and determination as they continue their quest for a national championship.