Duke’s Late Control Seals 71–56 Win Over Cal in Haas Sellout

5 min read

BERKELEY, Calif. — For the first time in two years, Haas Pavilion was filled to the brim before tipoff. Students arrived early and chaotic as Duke blue mixed into the upper sections as Cal was fueled by the energy early on. But the noise wouldn’t last.

Student section in Haas Pavilion. Photo courtesy of Chase Charles Curnow.

For many stretches on Wednesday night, the Golden Bears looked like they belonged in the same conversation as the No. 6 team in the country.

But Duke’s control in the paint and multiple unanswered runs were the ultimate deciding factors in a 71–56 Blue Devils win.

Cal trailed by seven at halftime, crawled their way to an even score midway through the second half, then watched Duke reassert itself with poise and physicality as the clock wound down.

A Fast Start, Then a Shift

Cal opened the night with a familiar identity of physicality on the defensive end while their offense appeared composed. With the score 13–7 early, both teams were shooting 43 percent from the field, but Cal had already forced five Duke turnovers while committing just one of its own.

The sellout crowd reacted to each and every stop but with every mistake and missed opportunity, an audible sigh was collectively released. 

Freshman Justin Pippen struggled to find his rhythm early, starting 0-for-4 from the field. Rather than force shots, Cal leaned on its defensive pressure and consistency on the glass. Forward Lee Dort battled inside, drawing contact and fouls, securing nine rebounds on the night. John Camden provided early offensive efficiency while guarding Duke’s talented guards.

Pippen eventually broke through with a three-pointer with seven minutes remaining in the half — his first points of the night — helping Cal maintain control.

The Bears led 30–24 late in the first half. The crowd and the players were feeling it while "Fight for California" played in the corner of Haas.

Then Duke found the inflection point.

Over the final minutes before the break, the Blue Devils went on a 13–0 run, flipping the momentum and taking a 37–30 advantage into halftime.

Duke head coach Jon Scheyer pointed to the combination of defensive stops and offensive execution during that stretch.

“I thought we were able to get some defensive stops during that stretch where we could get in more of a flow,” Scheyer said. “That group that was on the floor really shared it, executed well and fought for great shots.”

Freshman guard Cameron Boozer fighting for the basket. Photo courtesy of Chase Charles Curnow.

Cal’s Push Out of the Break

Cal came out of half time with execution on the top of mind.

The Golden Bears opened the second half with renewed physicality and better shot selection, closing the gap to 41–41 with 14:30 remaining. Haas roared again as Cal strung together defensive stops and quick offensive responses.

Duke answered with its own edge, leaning into its size and discipline. The away crowd grew louder, chants echoing through Haas as the Blue Devils matched Cal’s intensity possession for possession.

Turning Point

Midway through the second half, the tone completely changed.

As Cal continued to collapse inward defensively, the fouls piled up. The Bears finished the game with 22 team fouls, a number that reflected both their aggressive identity and Duke’s ability to exploit contact.

Duke capitalized by slowing the game and attacking inside. A 6–0 run stretched the lead and shifted control permanently. From there, Duke dictated tempo which took Cal out of the driver’s seat.

“Duke got 20 points off our turnovers, and 42 points in the paint,” Madsen said. “They took control of the game on some runs.”

Duke’s Interior Advantage

The difference last night was registered in the box score.

Duke scored 42 points in the paint, added 17 second-chance points, and finished with a 44–30 rebounding advantage. Freshman forward Cameron Boozer, who struggled early, controlled the boards in the second half and created separation with his playmaking and physicality.

Madsen credited Boozer’s late impact.

“Late in the game, Boozer took over,” Madsen said. “He got a lot of offensive rebounds. He had great drives and plays. That’s one of the top players in the country.” There were many NBA scouts at the game last night, one of which was there to watch Boozer intently.

Duke shot 45.2 percent from the field for the game, while Cal finished at 36.5 percent and 21.7 percent from three-point range.

Despite similar turnover totals — Duke with 10, Cal with 11 — the Blue Devils were far more efficient converting those mistakes into points.

Sophomore guard Isaiah Evans drills a three in the first half. Photo courtesy of Chase Charles Curnow

A Crowd That Mattered

Even as Duke pulled away late, the energy inside Haas remained at a heavy simmer.

The sellout crowd surged during Cal runs and stayed engaged deep into the second half. The players and coaches on both sides acknowledged the presence.

“The atmosphere here at Cal was absolutely as loud as can be,” Madsen said. “When we were going on our runs, you could feel the energy in the arena. I’m so grateful to all the fans that came out and made it an unbelievable atmosphere for us.”

Pippen echoed that sentiment when asked about sustaining momentum moving forward, keeping it short but sweet.

“Win games,” he said. “Give the people something to look forward to.”

The turnout marked a visible shift of excitement and signal of growing belief around the program — even if the results didn’t go the way of the Bears.

Warriors guard Seth Curry in attendance. Photo courtesy of Chase Charles Curnow.

There were many familiar faces present at Haas: Stephen Curry, Seth Curry, head coach Tosh Lupoi, comedian Ken Jeong, & Mayor Daniel Lurie

Pulse Takeaway

Cal didn’t look outmatched Wednesday night. It didn’t look overwhelmed. It didn’t feel like a typical unranked-versus-top-six matchup.

Instead, it looked like a team still learning how to close games against elite competition.

The Golden Bears have shown flashes of a tournament-caliber group, but conference play has exposed the thin margin for error. Fouls, second-chance points, and interior defense remain hurdles. As Madsen has built an identity and culture around physicality, his emphasis will be discipline moving forward.

“We need to do a better job of showing our hands, hitting guys with our chest, and not reaching,” Madsen said. “We have to play a physical, tough brand of basketball, but do so without fouling.”

That balance is the difference between hanging with the best and finishing games against them.

Forward John Camden contests guard Cameron Boozer. Photo courtesy of Chase Charles Curnow.

What’s Next

Cal leaves this game with proof that its ceiling is real. The path forward is clearer now: cleaner possessions, better discipline, and sustaining identity for a full forty minutes.

It wasn’t too long ago that Cal was 13–1 and sitting among ACC competitors like Duke. Now having lost four of their first five games in conference play, Madsen described how he plans to reshape his team’s identity and bring it back to that of 13–1 Cal.

“I want to focus on process,” he said. “We need to look at substitution combinations and optimize offensively and defensively.”

“And we need to rebound the ball better.” “We’ve got to play harder.”