Duke survives stunning halftime deficit to hold off No. 16 seed Siena in March Madness’ first round

Duke survives stunning halftime deficit to hold off No. 16 seed Siena in March Madness’ first round

Blue Devils trailed the Saints by 11 at halftime but rallied late to avoid the historic upset

Dame Sarr of the Duke Blue Devils reacts during the second half against the Siena Saints in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena March 19, 2026, in Greenville, S.C. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Cameron Boozer of the Duke Blue Devils battles Riley Mulvey of the Siena Saints for the ball during the second half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena March 19, 2026, in Greenville, S.C. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Justice Shoats of the Siena Saints shoots the ball against Nikolas Khamenia of the Duke Blue Devils during the second half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena March 19, 2026, in Greenville, S.C. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)