In a thrilling ACC matchup at Cameron Indoor Stadium, the No. 2 Duke Blue Devils overcame a significant first-half deficit to secure a 74-64 victory over the NC State Wolfpack. The standout performance of the night came from freshman phenom Cooper Flagg, who delivered a masterclass in resilience and scoring prowess.
Flagg’s evening began modestly, contributing just five points in the first half as Duke struggled to find their rhythm. The Blue Devils faced a daunting 13-point deficit, trailing 35-22 with just over four minutes remaining before halftime. However, a crucial 7-0 run to close the half narrowed the gap to 37-33, setting the stage for a dramatic turnaround.
The second half witnessed a rejuvenated Duke squad, spearheaded by an unstoppable Flagg. He erupted for 23 of his game-high 28 points after the break, showcasing a versatile offensive arsenal that left the Wolfpack’s defense scrambling. Flagg’s contributions were not limited to scoring; he also secured seven rebounds, distributed three assists, and added a block and a steal to his stat line.
A pivotal moment occurred early in the second half when Flagg ignited a 19-0 run with a thunderous transition dunk, energizing the home crowd and shifting the game’s momentum decisively in Duke’s favor. This surge transformed a four-point halftime deficit into a commanding lead, as NC State struggled to respond, remaining scoreless for the first six minutes after the intermission.
Complementing Flagg’s stellar performance, fellow freshman Kon Knueppel contributed 19 points, including three critical three-pointers in the first half that kept Duke within striking distance. Sion James added 13 points, providing stability and leadership on both ends of the floor.
NC State’s efforts were led by Dontrez Styles, who scored 18 points before fouling out late in the game, and Trey Parker, who added 15 points off the bench. Despite their strong start and aggressive defense, the Wolfpack couldn’t withstand Duke’s second-half resurgence.
This victory extends Duke’s winning streak to 14 games, maintaining their perfect 10-0 record in ACC play and improving to 18-2 overall. The Blue Devils will look to carry this momentum into their upcoming rivalry game against the North Carolina Tar Heels on Saturday.
