BERKELEY, Calif. (Interstat) — In a game defined more by defensive grit than offensive artistry, the Duke Blue Devils methodically dispatched the California Golden Bears 71-56 in a nonconference men’s basketball matchup Wednesday night at a sold-out Haas Pavilion.

The victory improved Duke’s record to 16-1, while California fell to 13-5.

The most important part of the game was Duke’s overwhelming defensive presence, particularly in the paint, which suffocated California’s offense from the opening tip and never relented. The Blue Devils blocked five shots and altered countless others, holding the Golden Bears to a frigid 36.5% shooting from the field and an offensive rating of just 82.3 points per 100 possessions. California’s early attempts to attack the rim were repeatedly turned away, setting a physical tone that the home team could never overcome.

Duke’s offense, while not always efficient, was powered by the interior dominance of sophomore forward Cameron Boozer. The Miami native scored a game-high 21 points, showcasing a variety of post moves and finishing through contact. His efforts were complemented by 17 points and three blocks from lanky wing Isaiah Evans, whose defensive versatility was crucial in disrupting California’s perimeter actions.

The Blue Devils led 37-30 at halftime, but the margin felt larger due to California’s offensive struggles. The Golden Bears managed only five made three-pointers on 23 attempts and were severely hampered by a mere two offensive rebounds for the entire game, a testament to Duke’s control on the glass with 11 offensive boards of their own.

California’s primary offensive threat came from center Lee Dort, who finished with 14 points, mostly on dunks and close-range shots. Guard Justin Pippen added 10 points but needed 12 shots to get there, emblematic of a night where the Golden Bears’ guards found driving lanes consistently clogged. John Camden provided a spark with 11 points off the bench.

Duke steadily pulled away in the second half, extending its lead to as many as 19 points. While the Blue Devils shot just 7 of 32 from three-point range and a concerning 8 of 17 from the free-throw line, their ability to generate second-chance opportunities and limit California to one-shot possessions proved decisive. Every time the Golden Bears showed a flicker of momentum, a Duke defensive stop or an offensive rebound snuffed it out.

The Blue Devils’ backcourt of Caleb Foster and Cayden Boozer managed the game effectively, combining for 12 points and six assists against only three turnovers. Duke’s defensive pressure also forced 10 California turnovers, which the Blue Devils converted into 15 points.

The announced crowd of 11,201 saw a California team that competed hard but was ultimately overmatched by Duke’s size, athleticism, and defensive game plan. The Golden Bears, now 1-3 against Atlantic Coast Conference opponents this season, will look to regroup quickly as they face another ACC heavyweight, North Carolina, at home on Saturday.

Duke, continuing a strong start to the calendar year, will travel across the Bay to face Stanford on Saturday before returning to ACC play. The Blue Devils’ lone loss remains a one-point defeat to Texas Tech in December.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, Duke entered the game with a 96.2% probability to win and was a 10.5-point pregame favorite. The total score of 127 fell well under the over/under line of 151.5, underscoring the defensive nature of the contest.