In a dramatic first-round game of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, the No. 1 overall seed Duke Blue Devils narrowly avoided a historic upset by the No. 16 seed Siena Saints. Duke trailed by 11 points at halftime but mounted a second-half comeback to secure a 71-65 victory on Thursday, March 19.
The game, played at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, saw Siena control the first half with strong defensive pressure and efficient shooting. Duke's offense struggled, committing turnovers and missing open shots. The halftime deficit marked a significant scare for the tournament's top seed.
Duke emerged from the locker room with renewed energy, quickly erasing the deficit with a 15-4 run to start the second half. The Blue Devils' defense tightened, and their star players began to convert critical baskets down the stretch. Siena continued to fight but ultimately could not sustain their first-half performance against Duke's adjusted strategy.
The victory allows Duke to advance to the second round of the tournament. While No. 1 seeds historically dominate No. 16 seeds, this game served as a reminder of the unpredictability of March Madness. Duke will look to build on this comeback performance as the tournament progresses.
