Duke basketball holds on to defeat Florida in ACC/SEC challenge: Score, highlights

Duke basketball held on to take down No. 14 Florida in the ACC/SEC challenge on Tuesday night at Cameron Indoor Stadium. 

Florida trailed for majority of the game but took the 66-64 lead with 32 seconds left behind Boogie Fland’s second 3-pointer of the night. After a timeout, Isaiah Evans responded with his first 3 to put the game back in Duke’s control, 67-66. Florida had one final inbound with 1.5 seconds remaining, but Maliq Brown came up with the deflection as Duke held on to win.

Cameron Boozer led Duke with 29 points on 10-of-21 shooting while Isaiah Evans added 13 with a career-high five blocks and Patrick Ngongba II 11 with five blocks. Boozer and Maliq Brown each added six rebounds, leading Duke. Florida’s Tommy Haugh finished with 24 points, Fland 16 and Alex Condon 12. 

The No. 14 Blue Devils dominated the first half, using runs of 9-0 and 6-0 to build a 36-24 lead going into the break and holding Florida to just 29% from the field. Florida finished the night 37% from the field while Duke finished 45%. 

The Gators controlled the glass, 44-33, but it was Duke that won the paint, 34-32. Florida outscored Duke 42-31 across the final 20 minutes.

The Fayetteville Observer brought you live updates, scores and highlights from Duke vs. Florida. Check it out.

Duke basketball vs Florida live updates

In addition to live updates and highlights, there is a live scoreboard at the bottom of this section.

Final: Duke 67, Florida 66

Duke holds on to take down Florida.

Isaiah Evans trey gives Duke back lead

Isaiah Evans responded with his first 3 of the night to put Duke back ahead, 67-66.

Florida takes lead with 32 seconds remaining

A Boogie Fland 3 with 32 seconds left puts Florida ahead 66-64. It’s Florida’s first lead since midway through the first half.

Florida ties it, Cameron Boozer trey

The Gators tied it at 59-all behind a Boogie Fland jumper but Cameron Boozer responded for Duke with a 3 on the Blue Devils’ next possession. Duke remains ahead 62-59 with 2:07 to go.

Quick 4-0 Florida run makes it a one possession game

The Gators get within two, trailing 59-57 with 3:29 to go, after an Alex Condon dunk and a Boogie Fland floater. The Blue Devils have been held without a field goal for the last 3:34 and have made just one of their last eight field goal attempts.

Todd Golden calls timeout

Todd Golden calls a timeout at the 4:47 mark with Duke leading 59-53. The Gators have been unable to get any closer than two points to Duke’s lead. Florida has made zero of its last five field goal attempts and has been held without a field goal for the last 3:33.

Florida trey’s make it a single possession game at under-8 timeout

The Gators knocked down a pair of 3’s for a 6-0 Florida run to a 54-51 game with 7:39 left to play.

Florida keeping it close, Maliq Brown flagrant foul

Florida made it a two-point game for the first time since the 8:53 mark of the first half behind a pair of Tommy Haugh free throws, but that is as close as the Gators have been able to get to Duke’s lead. The Blue Devils remain ahead 44-39 with 13:06 to go. Maliq Brown was just called for a flagrant I foul and is up to three fouls on the night.

9-0 Florida run, Jon Scheyer calls timeout

The Gators are on a 9-0 run and have made four of their last four field goals, cutting the deficit to 38-33 with 16:13 left as Jon Scheyer calls a timeout. Duke has been held scoreless the last 3:22.

Halftime: Duke 36, Florida 24

An Alex Condon airball closes out the first half as Duke leads 36-24. The Blue Devils used runs of 9-0 and 6-0 to pull away from the Gators and finish the first half 52% from the field. Cameron Boozer leads Duke with 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting.

Florida shot 29% from the field in the first 20 minutes with Tommy Haugh leading them with 13 points.

Duke up to largest lead at under-4 media timeout

The Blue Devils are on a 13-2 run and have built their largest lead of the game, up 32-21 with 3:27 to go in the first half. Cameron Boozer is up to 14 points (5-of-7) as Duke is 52% from the floor compared to Florida’s 31%. The Gators guards are a collective 1-of-14 to start the game as Thomas Haugh leads them with 13.

Patrick Ngongba II ties career made 3’s

Patrick Ngongba II entered the contest with two made career 3’s. He’s already matched that vs. the Gators and is up to 8 points.

Duke leads 25-19 with 5:37 left in the first half. The Blue Devils are on a 6-0 run across the last 2:11.

Tied game at under-8 timeout

it remains a physical battle, tied 19-all with 7:48 to go in the first half. Thomas Haugh leads Florida with 11 while Cameron Boozer is up to 9.

Duke off to a 56% start from the field at second media timeout

The Blue Devils are shooting 56% from the field to start the game, holding the 14-13 lead at the 11:29 mark of the first half. Six of Duke’s points have come from Cameron Boozer.

Florida continues ahead on the glass, 9-5, and is outscoring Duke in the paint 10-4. The Gators are 40% from the floor.

Duke leading at first timeout

Duke leads 9-6 at the 15:02 mark of the first half. Florida has already taken 10 shots but is shooting 30% while Duke is 3-of-5 from the field, all of its shots from 3. Florida is winning the glass, 7-3.

Nikolas Khamenia down early

Khamenia, who made his first career start, was on the ground in visible pain early in the game. He walked off the court on his own accord but immediately took his right shoe off once on the bench to get his ankle looked at. Dame Sarr entered in his place.

Not long after, Khamenia got his ankle taped up and shoes back on. He checked back into the game at the 13:13 mark.

Duke basketball starting 5 vs Florida

There are some changes to Duke’s starting lineup. Nikolas Khamenia entered the lineup in place of Dame Sarr, starting alongside Caleb Foster, Isaiah Evans, Cameron Boozer and Patrick Ngongba II.

Florida’s starting 5 consists of Boogie Fland, Xaivian Lee, Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu.

What channel is Duke basketball vs Florida on today?

TV Channel: ESPN

Stream: Fubo

The Duke vs. Florida game will air on ESPN and can be streamed on Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Duke basketball vs Florida start time

Date: Tuesday, Dec 2

Start time: 7:30 p.m. ET

The Duke basketball vs. Florida game gets underway at 7:30 p.m. inside Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina.

Duke basketball 2025-26 schedule

• Oct. 3: Countdown to Craziness 
• Oct. 21: 96-71 win vs. UCF (Brotherhood Run Exhibition) 
• Oct. 26: 83-76 win at Tennessee (Exhibition)
• Nov. 4: 75-60 win vs. Texas (Dick Vitale Invitational in Charlotte)
• Nov. 8:  95-54 win vs. Western Carolina
• Nov. 11: 114-59 win at Army West Point
• Nov. 14: 100-62 win vs. Indiana State
• Nov. 18: 78-66 win vs. Kansas (State Farm Championship Classic at Madison Square Garden)
• Nov. 21: 100-42 win vs. Niagara (Brotherhood Run)
• Nov. 23: 93-56 win vs. Howard (Brotherhood Run)
• Nov. 27: 80-71 win vs. Arkansas (CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic)
• Dec. 2: vs. Florida (ACC/SEC Challenge) 
• Dec. 6: at Michigan State
• Dec. 16: vs. Lipscomb
• Dec. 20: vs. Texas Tech (Madison Square Garden)
• Dec. 31: vs. Georgia Tech
• Jan. 3: at Florida State
• Jan. 6: at Louisville
• Jan. 10: vs SMU
• Jan. 14: at California
• Jan. 17: at Stanford
• Jan. 24: vs. Wake Forest
• Jan. 26: vs. Louisville
• Jan. 31: at Virginia Tech
• Feb. 3: vs. Boston College
• Feb. 7: at North Carolina
• Feb. 10: at Pittsburgh
• Feb. 14: vs. Clemson
• Feb. 16: vs. Syracuse
• Feb. 21: vs. Michigan (Duel in the District, Washington D.C.)
• Feb. 24: at Notre Dame
• Feb. 28: vs. Virginia
• March 2: at NC State
• March 7: vs. North Carolina
• March 10-14: ACC Tournament (Charlotte)

Anna Snyder covers Duke for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at asnyder@usatodayco.com or follow her @annaesnydr on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Duke basketball holds on to defeat Florida in ACC/SEC challenge: Score, highlights