Blue Devils Take Down Demon Deacons

It was a nail-biting game for both teams as second-ranked Duke took on Wake Forest in an intense ACC matchup on Saturday. Both teams came into the game with impressive records, but it was Duke who came out on top with a 63-56 win.

Freshman Cooper Flagg led the charge for the Blue Devils with an impressive performance, scoring 24 points, grabbing seven rebounds, and dishing out six assists. Fellow freshman Kon Knueppel also had a strong showing with 15 points. This dynamic duo proved to be a formidable force for Duke throughout the game.

However, the game was far from easy for the Blue Devils. After a dominant first half, where they held a 15 point lead, Duke struggled to find their rhythm in the second half. They missed their first 13 shots and went 1 for 19 in the first 12 minutes of the second half, allowing Wake Forest to rally back and take a 45-39 lead.

The Demon Deacons were fueled by the support of their home crowd, who were eager to see them take down Duke for the second consecutive year. However, despite their best efforts, they couldn’t hold onto their lead when Duke finally found their footing.

In a key sequence of events, Flagg stepped up with a face-up jumper to kickstart Duke’s comeback. Knueppel followed suit with a strong paint score and then Mason Gillis hit a pick-and-pop three-pointer to give Duke a 53-47 lead.

But it was Flagg who ultimately sealed the deal for Duke with an impressive performance in the final minutes of the game. He showcased his versatility by scoring on a spin move and then throwing down a two-handed slam over Wake Forest’s Tre’Von Spillers.

Duke’s Tyrese Proctor also came up big when it mattered most, sinking a crucial three-pointer late in the game to push Duke’s lead to 56-49. Proctor had struggled all game, going 1 for 11 from the field and 0 for 6 from beyond the arc, but he proved that he could rise to the occasion when his team needed him the most.

Overall, it was a strong showing for Duke, who had yet to face an ACC opponent within single digits. This win proved that they are a force to be reckoned with in the conference and will be a tough team to beat as the season progresses.

On the other hand, it was a disappointing loss for Wake Forest, who had won six straight games leading up to this matchup. They missed out on a chance to add an impressive win to their resume for the NCAA Tournament.

Looking ahead, the Demon Deacons will have another tough test when they visit No. 25 Louisville on Tuesday. Duke, on the other hand, will have a quick turnaround as they host N.C. State on Monday.

This game was a testament to the competitive nature of college basketball and how anything can happen on any given day. Despite being ranked second in the nation, Duke had to fight tooth and nail to secure a win against an unranked opponent. It just goes to show that every team is capable of causing an upset and no game should be taken lightly.

But for Duke fans, this win will serve as a reminder of their team’s resilience and ability to overcome adversity. It was a true team effort with contributions from Flagg, Knueppel, Gillis, and Proctor. This game also showcased the potential of Duke’s young talent who will only continue to improve as the season goes on.

It was a thrilling game filled with ups and downs for both teams, but ultimately it was Duke who came out on top. As we head into the final stretch of the college basketball season, it will be interesting to see how both teams continue to perform and if Duke can maintain their undefeated ACC record.

Key Performers

• Duke:
  • Cooper Flagg: 24 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, clutch plays in crunch time.
  • Kon Knueppel: 15 points, key buckets to regain momentum.
  • Mason Gillis: Hit a critical three-pointer during Duke’s late-game run.
  • Tyrese Proctor: Despite shooting struggles (2-for-12), made a clutch late three-pointer to seal the win.
• Wake Forest:
  • Tre’Von Spillers: Provided strong interior presence but struggled against Flagg’s athleticism.
  • Team Effort: Wake Forest had balanced contributions but lacked a consistent go-to scorer in the final minutes.

Game Flow

First Half:

Duke dominated early, building a 15-point halftime lead by exploiting mismatches and shooting efficiently. Flagg orchestrated the offense brilliantly, while Wake Forest struggled to keep pace.

Second Half Struggles:

The Blue Devils opened the half with an ice-cold shooting streak, missing their first 13 shots. Wake Forest capitalized, fueled by their home crowd, and went on a 20-2 run to take a 45-39 lead with under 10 minutes left.

Duke’s Response:

Down six, Flagg ended Duke’s drought with a jumper that sparked a rally. Knueppel’s drive, Gillis’ three-pointer, and Flagg’s explosive dunk swung the momentum back in Duke’s favor. Proctor’s late triple put the game out of reach.

Key Stats

• Duke’s Shooting: 1-for-19 start to the second half before finishing 9-for-12 down the stretch.
• Wake Forest’s Second Half: Outscored Duke 16-4 to start the half but couldn’t sustain the momentum.
• Turnovers: Duke committed 14 turnovers, including key ones during Wake Forest’s rally, but tightened up late.

Takeaways

• Duke:
  • Resilience was the story of the game. Despite a nightmarish offensive stretch in the second half, Duke’s young stars stepped up in crunch time.
  • Cooper Flagg’s poise: The freshman phenom showcased his all-around ability, proving why he’s one of the most exciting talents in college basketball.
  • The win was a wake-up call as Duke faces tougher ACC opponents down the road.
• Wake Forest:
  • They showed fight and resilience, nearly pulling off a huge upset.
  • Wake Forest’s inability to close in the final minutes cost them dearly, but they proved they can compete with top-tier teams.