DURHAM, N.C. — Freshman sensation Cooper Flagg contributed significantly to No. 4 Duke’s decisive 76-47 victory over Pittsburgh on Tuesday night, scoring 14 of his 19 points in the second half. His highlight of the evening was an impressive coast-to-coast dunk that energized the crowd. Alongside him, fellow newcomer Kon Knueppel added 17 points to the scoreboard, knocking down four 3-pointers. The Blue Devils, now boasting a record of 13-2 and 5-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, continued their unbeaten streak in league play, thanks in large part to their robust defense.
For Pittsburgh, Cameron Corhen emerged as the leading scorer with 11 points; however, the Panthers struggled offensively, shooting just 31% from the field and failing to register any points in the final eight minutes of the game. This loss marked a setback for Pittsburgh, who had previously enjoyed a five-game winning streak following an earlier defeat to Mississippi State during the ACC/SEC Challenge on December 4. The Panthers faced a 34-24 deficit at halftime, and they were unable to close the gap after the intermission.
Duke’s defense has been noteworthy this season, entering the game ranked third in the nation for points allowed per 100 possessions, according to KenPom statistics. The Blue Devils extended their winning streak to nine games, ending the match by scoring the last 18 points.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred when Duke held an 11-point lead. Flagg, a 6-foot-9 preseason Associated Press All-American, intercepted an entry pass, sprinted down the court and executed a remarkable dunk from the left side of the paint, despite being fouled by Guillermo Diaz Graham. This electrifying play sent the “Cameron Crazies” into a frenzy. Flagg completed a three-point play by sinking the free throw and subsequently scored again on a powerful drive to the basket.
In terms of individual performance, Pittsburgh’s guards Ishmael Leggett and Jaland Lowe, both key players throughout the season, faced a challenging night. Leggett managed only four points on a dismal 2-for-15 shooting effort, while Lowe scored eight points but shot 3-for-12.
Looking ahead, Pittsburgh will host Louisville on Saturday, while Duke will also host Notre Dame the same day.
