PROVIDENCE, R.I. — At some point in every tournament game, the outcome becomes obvious and the focus for the loser invariably turns to the journey. Yale being Yale, that moment was bound to come sooner rather than later in the N.C.A.A. tournament, especially with a second-round matchup Saturday against Duke at Dunkin’ Donuts Center.
On paper, this was every bit a basketball mismatch as it was an academic pick ’em. Duke (25-10) played like a potential N.C.A.A. champion in the first half. Yale (23-7) played the role of consummate spoiler in the second.
In the end, overcoming a 27-point deficit proved too much for the Bulldogs.