Last night delivered pure chaos in the ACC/SEC Challenge as No. 4 Duke edged No. 15 Florida 67-66 with a clutch three-pointer, while Syracuse stunned No. 13 Tennessee 62-60 in thrilling fashion. Both games came down to closing seconds and left fans breathless.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Duke vs Florida: Sophomore Isaiah Evans buried the game-winner with just 19.7 seconds remaining on Tuesday night at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham
- Cameron Boozer’s dominance: The Blue Devils’ freshman star poured in 29 points to lead Duke past the defending national champions from Florida
- Syracuse’s shocking upset: Senior guard William Kyle III made the go-ahead free throw with 13.8 seconds left as Syracuse held serve at home in the ACC/SEC Challenge
- Tennessee’s tough loss: The Volunteers (7-2) fell to 7-2 with their second consecutive defeat after No. 13 ranking heading into the matchup
Isaiah Evans Delivers Clutch Heroics for Duke
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No. 4 Duke survived a tense battle against No. 15 Florida in the ACC/SEC Challenge on Tuesday night. The Blue Devils trailed for much of the contest against the defending national champions but found their closer down the stretch.
With the score tied and seconds ticking away, Isaiah Evans dribbled right and launched a contested three-pointer that rattled through the net with 19.7 seconds remaining. The slim sophomore, who had struggled shooting earlier in the game, rose to the occasion when it mattered most. Florida got one last chance but couldn’t convert, leaving Cameron Indoor Stadium erupting.
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Cameron Boozer was the engine driving Duke’s victory, dropping 29 points on the defending champs. The freshman sensation controlled the paint and proved why he’s one of the nation’s best players. Evans chipped in 13 points and Duke blocked 11 shots, with Patrick Ngongba anchoring the defensive effort. The Blue Devils improved to 9-0 overall with the dramatic victory.
Cameron Boozer’s 29-Point Performance Breaks Duke Open
| Player | Points | Team |
| Cameron Boozer | 29 | Duke |
| Isaiah Evans | 13 | Duke |
| Brandon Donovan | 15 | Florida |
| Todd Phelps | 12 | Florida |
Boozer’s all-around game made the difference against the defending national champions. The 6-foot-9 power forward dominated on the glass and created for teammates. After scoring 35 points in Duke’s previous win over Arkansas, Boozer proved he’s a consistent force that opponents cannot game-plan away.
Florida struggled to contain Boozer despite assigning multiple defenders to the star. The Gators held Florida in the first half but couldn’t maintain that defensive intensity in the second half. Coach Jon Scheyer’s squad showed resilience after falling behind.
Syracuse Shocks Tennessee with Late Free Throws
Syracuse pulled off a major upset against No. 13 Tennessee in the ACC/SEC Challenge, winning 62-60 at the JMA Wireless Dome. The Orange were underdogs playing on the road to the Volunteers, who arrived ranked in the top 15.
The defining moment came when William Kyle III made a go-ahead free throw with 13.8 seconds remaining. Syracuse’s defense clamped down, and Sadiq White Jr. iced the game with another free throw at 0.7 seconds left. Tennessee had no answer down the stretch, turning the ball over 17 times in a sloppy performance.
Nate Kingz led the Orange with a career-high 19 points in the upset. Braden Smith added 16 points and eight assists for Syracuse. The win marked a massive statement in the ACC/SEC Challenge as Syracuse improved to 5-3 with the dramatic home victory.
Tennessee’s Turnover Trouble Costs Them Dearly
Tennessee struggled with ball security all night, committing 17 turnovers against Syracuse. The Volunteers couldn’t establish offensive rhythm and paid the price down the stretch. Despite opening the game strong, Tennessee couldn’t sustain execution against the Orange’s aggressive defense.
The loss dropped Tennessee to 7-2 on the season and marked their second consecutive defeat. Rick Barnes’ squad will need to tighten up mechanics moving forward. The Volunteers still possess talent but showed vulnerability on the road against a Syracuse team hungry to make noise in the ACC/SEC Challenge.
Watch: Highlights From Duke’s Thriller Against Florida
What Do These Results Mean for Both Conferences?
The ACC/SEC Challenge delivered drama Tuesday night with both games featuring last-second heroics. Duke’s victory over defending champion Florida signals the Blue Devils could be dangerous all season. Cameron Boozer and Isaiah Evans proved they can close games against elite competition.
Syracuse’s upset over Tennessee showed upsets are possible in this challenge format. The Orange got significant contributions from role players like Kingz and White Jr. Both teams remain in the tournament mix with several games left on their schedules before conference play begins.
“Isaiah Evans hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 19.7 seconds left, and No. 4 Duke held on to beat No. 15 Florida 67-66 on Tuesday night in the ACC/SEC Challenge.”
— AP Sports, December 2, 2025
Sources
- ESPN – Duke, Syracuse game recaps and box scores from ACC/SEC Challenge
- CBS Sports – Live game tracking and final score coverage
- AP Sports – Game reporting and player statistics
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.