DURHAM, N.C. (Interstat) — In a game defined by statistical disparity and a relentless second-half surge, the Duke Blue Devils overcame a sharp-shooting Georgia Tech team to secure an 85-79 victory in an Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball clash Wednesday afternoon at a sold-out Cameron Indoor Stadium.

The final score belied a contest where Georgia Tech’s offensive efficiency was largely neutralized by Duke’s overwhelming advantage on the glass and at the free-throw line. The Yellow Jackets, who entered as heavy underdogs, shot a blistering 53.7% from the field and an even more impressive 55.6% from three-point range. Kowacie Reeves led that charge for Georgia Tech, finishing with 23 points, including five three-pointers.

Yet, Duke’s ability to generate second chances proved decisive. The Blue Devils corralled 17 offensive rebounds, leading to a 17-4 edge in second-chance points and a staggering 76-54 advantage in total field goal attempts. This volume shooting offset a cold afternoon from deep, where Duke connected on just 9 of 32 attempts (28.1%). The Blue Devils also capitalized at the charity stripe, making 24 of 35 free throws compared to Georgia Tech’s 11 of 13.

The game’s most important sequence unfolded midway through the second half, turning a narrow Duke lead into a cushion that would withstand Georgia Tech’s late push. Leading 64-62 with just over nine minutes remaining, Duke’s defense ignited a critical 6-0 run. A steal by Maliq Brown led to a Caleb Foster three-pointer, assisted by Cameron Boozer. After a Georgia Tech miss, Boozer then found Patrick Ngongba for a layup, pushing the lead to 70-62 and forcing a Yellow Jackets timeout with 8:10 to play. This spurt, fueled by defensive pressure and unselfish offense, provided Duke the separation it would not relinquish.

Cameron Boozer was the central figure for the Blue Devils, delivering a dominant performance with 26 points and 12 rebounds. His work on the offensive glass, securing multiple key put-back opportunities, was instrumental. He was complemented by Isaiah Evans, who scored 17 points, and Patrick Ngongba, who added 11 points and nine rebounds while anchoring the interior defense with two blocks.

Georgia Tech, which led 43-39 at halftime, showcased a balanced attack. Beyond Reeves, Jaeden Mustaf contributed 11 points and seven rebounds, Lamar Washington had 10 points and six assists, and Chas Kelley added 10 points off the bench. However, 16 turnovers, which Duke converted into 17 points, and the inability to secure defensive rebounds in key moments ultimately thwarted the upset bid.

The victory improved Duke’s record to 12-1 overall and marked a successful start to ACC play. The Blue Devils, whose only loss came on a last-second shot against Texas Tech, will travel to face Florida State on Saturday. Georgia Tech, which saw its three-game winning streak snapped, fell to 9-5. The Yellow Jackets will host Boston College in their next contest, also on Saturday.

Despite the statistical anomaly of a team losing while shooting over 50% from the field and from three-point range, the game was ultimately decided by the fundamental advantages Duke created through physicality and persistence, particularly during the pivotal minutes of the second half.