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Cameron Boozer leads dominant interior play powering No. 5 Duke to a 90-69 win against Wake Forest

Sport

Cameron Boozer leads dominant interior play powering No. 5 Duke to a 90-69 win against Wake Forest
Sport

Sport

Cameron Boozer leads dominant interior play powering No. 5 Duke to a 90-69 win against Wake Forest

2026-01-25 03:19 Last Updated At:03:21

Cameron Boozer scored 32 points to lead fifth-ranked Duke's dominating interior play that helped the Blue Devils beat Wake Forest 90-69 on Saturday.

The star freshman big man made 11 of 20 shots to go with nine rebounds and four assists, controlling large stretches with his scoring and his playmaking ability to passing out of oncoming double teams.

And with the 6-foot-9, 250-pound forward in charge, Duke (18-1, 7-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) outscored its longtime instate league foe 48-16 in the paint. The Blue Devils also outrebounded the Demon Deacons by 21 and finished with a 18-7 edge in second-chance points.

It marked Boozer's fourth output of at least 30 points this season, while Duke shot 50% overall.

Patrick Ngongba II added 13 points and seven rebounds for Duke, which was coming off a two-game sweep in its first cross-country league trip — winning by 15 at California and 30 at Stanford.

Juke Harris scored 20 of his 23 points after halftime for the Demon Deacons (11-9, 2-5), who have lost six of eight. Wake Forest led for the first 13-plus minutes and made 14 3-pointers, but a 13-0 burst pushed Duke to a double-digit lead late in the first half and Wake Forest got no closer than nine in the opening minute of the second half.

Wake Forest shot 40.7% for the game.

The Demon Deacons have lost 27 straight games at Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium since their last win in 1997 during program great and eventual longtime NBA star Tim Duncan's senior season.

The game tipped off at noon, moved up from a scheduled 5:45 p.m. start time, due to concerns about the forecast of an approaching winter storm.

Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons visit Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

Duke: The Blue Devils host No. 23 Louisville on Monday.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

Wake Forest's Sebastian Atkins (10) handles the ball as Duke's Caleb Foster (1) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

Wake Forest's Sebastian Atkins (10) handles the ball as Duke's Caleb Foster (1) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

Wake Forest's Myles Colvin (6) dives for a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Duke in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

Wake Forest's Myles Colvin (6) dives for a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Duke in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

This photo gallery, curated by AP photo editors, features highlights from the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia.

Naomi Osaka of Japan walks onto Rod Laver Arena for her first round match against Antonia Ruzic of Croatia at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Naomi Osaka of Japan walks onto Rod Laver Arena for her first round match against Antonia Ruzic of Croatia at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

A supporter of Dane Sweeny of Australia reacts during his first round match against Gael Monfils of France at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

A supporter of Dane Sweeny of Australia reacts during his first round match against Gael Monfils of France at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Lorenzo Musetti of Italy puts an ice towel around his face during a break in his third round match against Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Lorenzo Musetti of Italy puts an ice towel around his face during a break in his third round match against Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Coco Gauff of the U.S. reacts during an on court interview following her second round match against Olga Danilovic of Serbia at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Coco Gauff of the U.S. reacts during an on court interview following her second round match against Olga Danilovic of Serbia at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Raphael Collignon of Belgium plays a backhand return to Lorenzo Musetti of Italy during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Raphael Collignon of Belgium plays a backhand return to Lorenzo Musetti of Italy during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Zhang Zhizhen of China serves to Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Zhang Zhizhen of China serves to Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Madison Keys of the U.S. serves to Oleksandra Oliynykova of Ukraine during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Madison Keys of the U.S. serves to Oleksandra Oliynykova of Ukraine during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Francisco Comesana of Argentina plays a forehand return to Frances Tiafoe of the U.S. during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Francisco Comesana of Argentina plays a forehand return to Frances Tiafoe of the U.S. during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Hamad Medjedovic of Serbia reacts during his second round match against Alex de Minaur of Australia at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Hamad Medjedovic of Serbia reacts during his second round match against Alex de Minaur of Australia at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Ben Shelton of the U.S. serves to Ugo Humbert of France during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Ben Shelton of the U.S. serves to Ugo Humbert of France during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines reacts during her first round match against Alycia Parks of the U.S. at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines reacts during her first round match against Alycia Parks of the U.S. at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Flavio Cobolli of Italy plays a backhand return to Arthur Fery of Britain during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Flavio Cobolli of Italy plays a backhand return to Arthur Fery of Britain during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Arthur Gea of France takes a selfie with supporters after defeating Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic in their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Arthur Gea of France takes a selfie with supporters after defeating Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic in their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Oleksandra Oliynykova of Ukraine plays a backhand return to Madison Keys of the U.S. during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Oleksandra Oliynykova of Ukraine plays a backhand return to Madison Keys of the U.S. during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a backhand return to Pedro Martinez of Spain during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a backhand return to Pedro Martinez of Spain during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Olga Danilovic of Serbia plays a backhand return to Venus Williams of the U.S. during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Olga Danilovic of Serbia plays a backhand return to Venus Williams of the U.S. during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan plays a shot between his legs to Marton Fucsovics of Hungary during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan plays a shot between his legs to Marton Fucsovics of Hungary during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus reacts during her first round match against Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah of France at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus reacts during her first round match against Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah of France at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Alexander Zverev of Germany plays a forehand return to Gabriel Diallo of Canada during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Alexander Zverev of Germany plays a forehand return to Gabriel Diallo of Canada during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Frances Tiafoe of the U.S. plays a forehand return to Francisco Comesana of Argentina during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Frances Tiafoe of the U.S. plays a forehand return to Francisco Comesana of Argentina during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Ben Shelton of the U.S. plays a backhand return to Ugo Humbert of France during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Ben Shelton of the U.S. plays a backhand return to Ugo Humbert of France during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Priscilla Hon of Australia plays a backhand return to Marina Stakusic of Canada during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Priscilla Hon of Australia plays a backhand return to Marina Stakusic of Canada during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Oleksandra Oliynykova of Ukraine plays a forehand return to Madison Keys of the U.S. during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Oleksandra Oliynykova of Ukraine plays a forehand return to Madison Keys of the U.S. during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Flavio Cobolli of Italy serves to Arthur Fery of Britain during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Flavio Cobolli of Italy serves to Arthur Fery of Britain during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Flavio Cobolli of Italy prepares to serve to Arthur Fery of Britain during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Flavio Cobolli of Italy prepares to serve to Arthur Fery of Britain during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Coco Gauff of the U.S. serves to Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Coco Gauff of the U.S. serves to Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Alex de Minaur of Australia plays a backhand return to Hamad Medjedovic of Serbia during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Alex de Minaur of Australia plays a backhand return to Hamad Medjedovic of Serbia during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Ben Shelton of the U.S. celebrates after defeating Valentin Vacherot of Monaco in their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Ben Shelton of the U.S. celebrates after defeating Valentin Vacherot of Monaco in their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

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