DURHAM, N.C. — In a strong opening to the season, rookie standout Cooper Flagg contributed significantly with 18 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in his debut, leading No. 7 Duke to a decisive 96-62 victory over Maine on Monday night.

At 6-foot-9 and 205 pounds, Flagg, hailed as the country’s top recruit and a preseason AP All-American, showcased his skills by making 6 out of 15 attempts from the field and hitting all six free throws. Another freshman, Kon Knueppel, shined for the Blue Devils with 22 points, including three successful three-pointers, as Duke (1-0) recorded an impressive shooting percentage of 55.6% for the match.

For Maine (0-1), Quion Burns was the standout scorer with 15 points, but the team struggled in the second half, managing only 6 of 24 (25%) from the field as Duke steadily increased its lead.

**Highlights of the Game**
The Black Bears, who were predicted to finish fourth in the America East—marking their highest projected rank since the 2010-11 season—managed to remain competitive in the first half with a shooting percentage of 45.5%. However, they faced challenges after halftime as Duke’s defense tightened.

Duke, a favorite in the Atlantic Coast Conference, had a remarkable performance with six players scoring in double digits. This included returning players Caleb Foster with 11 points and Tyrese Proctor who added 10.

A pivotal moment in the game came when Duke unleashed an 11-0 scoring run in the second half. Knueppel sank a corner three-pointer, assisted by Flagg, and Sion James scored twice from close range, extending the lead to 60-39 with 14:33 remaining.

**Notable Statistics**
Knueppel, a 6-7 guard, was particularly effective in the first half, scoring 15 points on 5-for-8 shooting, which featured two baskets from behind the arc. His performance included a remarkable four-point play in transition during the initial seven and a half minutes of the game, enabling Duke to establish a significant lead early on.

**Looking Ahead**
Next, the Blue Devils will face Army at home this Friday, an important game as they prepare for a matchup against No. 23 Kentucky in the Champions Classic next week in Atlanta. Meanwhile, the Black Bears will host Maine-Fort Kent on Wednesday, aiming to bounce back from their season opener.

This season’s action promises to deliver plenty of excitement, highlighting the early performances of freshmen and the competitive atmosphere of college basketball.