Not a “Cakewalk”: Siena Proves the Nation Wrong Against Duke

This One Hurts...But What an Effort

The Saints came this close to pulling off one of the biggest upsets in NCAA Tournament history, falling to No. 1 seed Duke 71-65 on Thursday in Greenville, South Carolina. And if you watched it, you know the score doesn’t even tell the full story.

Siena didn’t just hang around—they controlled stretches of this game. The Saints led by 11 at halftime and pushed that lead to 13 in the second half, stunning a Duke team that, by their own admission, may have taken Siena too lightly.

One Blue Devil even referred to the matchup as a “cakewalk," and an unbelievable admission that made me want Siena to beat them even more.

Cakewalk?

Fulton's Gavin Doty Came Up Huge

Led by Gavin Doty’s 21 points (16 coming in the first half), Siena played with confidence, toughness, and something you can’t coach—heart. Even more incredible? All five starters played the entire 40 minutes. No breaks. No backups. Just straight grit.

Duke eventually rallied behind Cameron Boozer’s 22 points, but they were pushed to the absolute limit.

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If you want to relive the emotion, intensity, and just how close Siena came, check out our gallery of images from the heartbreaking loss in Greenville, below.

Siena didn’t just show up… they made the entire country take notice. So close. So proud. And chances are, years from now, you’ll still remember exactly where you watched it.