In a thrilling game in Durham, North Carolina, Cooper Flagg showcased his skills by scoring an impressive 27 points, leading the No. 3 Duke Blue Devils to a dominant 78-57 victory over California on Wednesday night. This win extended Duke’s remarkable home winning streak to 14 games, solidifying their position as a force to be reckoned with in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Joining Flagg in the spotlight was Tyrese Proctor, who contributed 18 points, and Khaman Maluach, who notched a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. The Blue Devils, with a record of 21-3 overall and 13-1 in the ACC, bounced back strongly from their recent loss to Clemson, which had put an end to their impressive 16-game winning streak.
On the other side, California put up a valiant effort, with Jeremiah Wilkinson scoring 21 points, Rytis Petraitis adding 11 points, and Andrej Stojakovic chipping in 10 points. Despite their best efforts, the Golden Bears fell short against the powerhouse that is Duke.
Cooper Flagg’s stellar performance was highlighted by his 8 for 14 shooting from the field and a perfect 9 for 9 from the free-throw line. His 13 first-half points played a crucial role in Duke’s commanding 38-23 lead at halftime, setting the stage for their eventual victory.
As the game unfolded, it became evident that California was struggling, having lost four of their last five games. However, a late surge in scoring prevented them from registering their lowest point total of the season, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the defeat.
For Duke, the key moment came with back-to-back 3-pointers from the towering 7-foot-2 center Maluach and Flagg, pushing them to a 28-15 lead that they would maintain for the rest of the game. The Blue Devils’ defensive prowess was on full display, holding California to a 35.1% shooting percentage, well below the ACC-low mark of 38.5%.
Looking ahead, both teams have important matchups on Saturday. Duke will defend their home court against Stanford, while California will face off against Georgia Tech in what promises to be another intense game in the college basketball season.
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