Duke guard Cayden Boozer, son of Carlos Boozer, delivered an emotional message after a late turnover helped end the Blue Devils’ NCAA tournament run. Duke lost 73-72 to UConn in the Elite Eight on March 30 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The loss came after Duke surrendered a 19-point lead and allowed a last-second 3-pointer that sent UConn to the Final Four.
Cayden Boozer Turnover vs UConn Changes Game Outcome
Duke appeared in control late in the game despite UConn’s second-half comeback. After a free throw from Silas Demary gave the Blue Devils a two-point lead with 10 seconds remaining, Duke successfully inbounded the ball.
The sequence moved from Cayden’s twin brother, Cameron Boozer, to Dame Sarr, who then found Cayden near midcourt. Instead of holding the ball and forcing a foul or running out the clock, Cayden turned to advance the play. The ball was stolen, creating an immediate opportunity for UConn.
Seconds later, Braylon Mullins hit a deep 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds remaining to give UConn the 73-72 win. The shot completed the comeback and eliminated Duke from the tournament.
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer addressed the final possession and emphasized what the team needed to do in that moment.
“We just have to secure it, right? We got it,” Scheyer said. “They had a foul. I was ready for a timeout. We’ve just got to hold on.”
Cayden Boozer Emotional Confession After Duke Loss
After the game, Cayden spoke in the locker room and took responsibility for the turnover. The freshman guard became emotional while addressing reporters.
“I ruined our team’s season,” Cayden said with bloodshot eyes and a cracking voice, via The Athletic’s Brendan Marks. “That’s the best I can put it.”
The moment reflected the weight of the loss for Duke, which had been in position to advance to the Final Four before the final seconds.
Despite the turnover, Cayden delivered a strong overall performance. He finished with 15 points, six assists and five rebounds. He also shot a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line, meaning two additional attempts could have extended Duke’s lead late in the game.
Duke Blue Devils Collapse After 19-Point Lead
Duke controlled much of the first half and built a 15-point lead by halftime. Early in the second half, Cameron extended the advantage with a layup that pushed the lead back to 17 points.
The Blue Devils later stretched that margin to 19 points, putting them in position for what appeared to be a comfortable win. However, UConn steadily worked back into the game behind consistent scoring and defensive pressure.
Duke struggled offensively down the stretch and managed just two field goals in the final six minutes. That allowed UConn to close the gap and set up the final sequence.
UConn head coach Dan Hurley’s team completed the comeback with Mullins’ game-winning shot, securing a return to the Final Four for the third time in four seasons.
Following the loss, Scheyer addressed the team’s performance and the difficult finish. He acknowledged the outcome while supporting his players.
“I don’t have the words,” Scheyer said. “I’m incredibly sorry for these guys that they’ve got to go through this. This is on us.”
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