Cooper Flagg led the charge for No. 4 Duke as they secured an 88-65 victory over Virginia Tech in a thrilling Atlantic Coast Conference matchup on Tuesday in Durham, N.C. Flagg showcased his scoring prowess by dropping 24 points, with 14 of them coming in the first half. Joining Flagg in the scoring column were Tyrese Proctor and Kon Knueppel, each contributing 13 points, while Isaiah Evans added 12 points. Sion James and Mason Gillis also made their presence felt with 10 points apiece for the Blue Devils, who improved to an impressive 11-2 overall record and a perfect 3-0 start in ACC play.
James stood out on the glass as well, pulling down 11 rebounds to complement his solid scoring performance. Duke displayed moments of dominance throughout the contest, particularly in the second half, where they asserted their control and outplayed Virginia Tech on both ends of the court.
Despite a valiant effort from Tobi Lawal, who finished with a team-high 19 points for the Hokies, Virginia Tech struggled to contain Duke’s offensive firepower. Lawal poured in 15 second-half points in a commendable individual effort, while Patrick Wessler chipped in with 10 points off the bench for the Hokies, who suffered their second consecutive defeat and dropped to a 5-8 overall record, including a winless 0-2 mark in conference play.
Flagg showcased his versatility by knocking down two crucial 3-pointers en route to an efficient 9-for-14 shooting performance. In addition to his scoring output, Flagg also displayed his playmaking skills by dishing out a game-high six assists, further impacting the game beyond just scoring.
Despite Virginia Tech’s resilience, narrowing the gap to 49-40 midway through the second half, Duke responded emphatically with timely three-pointers from Proctor and Evans to stifle any potential comeback bid from the Hokies. Lawal’s offensive outburst, accounting for 11 of Virginia Tech’s first 13 points in the second half, was not enough to overcome Duke’s stifling defense and balanced scoring attack.
Virginia Tech faced difficulties converting inside the paint, leading to a scoring drought that allowed Duke to stretch their lead to 61-44 during a pivotal stretch of the game. Flagg, who ignited Duke’s early offensive surge with 14 first-half points on efficient 5-for-7 shooting, showcased his scoring prowess once again by spearheading a crucial 17-2 run that helped the Blue Devils establish a double-digit halftime lead of 37-27.
Flagg’s impact was briefly hampered by foul trouble, as he picked up his second foul early in the game, forcing him to briefly sit out. However, Flagg made an immediate impact upon his return to the court, converting a key four-point play that sparked Duke’s momentum and set the tone for their dominant first-half performance
