DURHAM, N.C. – Freshman Cooper Flagg led the charge for No. 4 Duke as they secured an 86-78 victory over Notre Dame on Saturday afternoon. Flagg’s impressive performance saw him rack up 42 points, making him the first Blue Devil player to hit the 40-point mark since J.J. Redick achieved the feat twice back in January 2006. This also marked the highest individual scoring output for a Duke player since Danny Ferry’s 58-point explosion in 1988. Flagg’s shooting was on point, as he connected on 11 of 14 field goal attempts, including a solid 4-for-6 from beyond the arc, and was nearly perfect from the free-throw line, going 16-for-17. In addition to his scoring prowess, Flagg contributed seven assists and grabbed six rebounds, showcasing his versatility on the court.
Duke’s dominant performance was evident from the start, as they opened the game with a 14-0 run, setting the tone for the contest. Khaman Maluach and Kon Knueppel provided valuable support for the Blue Devils, chipping in with 19 and 13 points respectively. Duke’s stellar form continued as they extended their winning streak to 10 games, maintaining a perfect 6-0 record in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Notre Dame, coming off two consecutive narrow losses, was led by Markus Burton’s 23 points. Braeden Shrewsberry added 14 points, while Tae Davis and Sir Mohammed each contributed 11 points for the Fighting Irish. Despite a solid performance from beyond the arc, going 14 of 23 on 3-pointers, Notre Dame was unable to overcome Duke’s strong start and Flagg’s offensive firepower.
Flagg’s emergence as a standout freshman has been a major storyline this season, as he has consistently delivered impressive performances for the Blue Devils. In four of the last six games, Flagg has scored 24 or more points, solidifying his reputation as one of the top young talents in college basketball.
Duke’s suffocating defense played a key role in their victory, as Notre Dame struggled to find their rhythm early in the game. The Irish did not register a field goal until more than five minutes had elapsed in the first half, a testament to Duke’s defensive intensity.
The game was not without its dramatic moments, as a late first-half offensive foul called on Flagg led to a technical foul on Duke coach Jon Scheyer. However, Flagg remained unfazed, continuing his scoring barrage and finishing with a career-high 42 points by the early stages of the second half.
Despite Notre Dame’s efforts to mount a comeback, Duke maintained control down the stretch, with Flagg sinking crucial free throws to seal the victory. The Blue Devils’ early lead proved insurmountable for the Fighting Irish, who staged a late rally but fell short in their bid to upset.
