Duke Survives Wake 63-56; Cooper Flagg Scores 24; Kon Knueppel Pulls Down 9 Boards

Someone said on social media that Duke & wake would be a rock fight, and for a while it seemed that way. Neither offense could really find rhythm, and both defenses seemed to exert their will. Duke was lucky to shoot 45% in the first half of the game, while Wake barely got to 30%. Duke’s 10 turnovers that yielded 6 points for Wake probably aided in keeping the game within reach in the first half. Duke led by as much as 15 in the first half, but a Hunter Sallis breakaway dunk to end the first half sent Wake into the half down 13 and with a hint of momentum despite the deficit. Wake funneled that momentum into a 23-9 run to begin the second half. In arguably the worst stretch of basketball from Duke this season, the Blue Devils not only watched their 13 point lead evaporate, but Wake Forest pushed past the Blue Devils for a 6 point lead at the 9:55 mark. Duke, down 6, went to Cooper. Flagg who hit a jumper from the free throw line to pull Duke within four, 45-41, with 7:38 remaining. Mason Gillis drilled a three from the top of the arc, pulling the Blue Devils within just 1, 47-46, with six minutes on the timer. Cooper Flagg put Duke back in front, 48-47, with a layup through contact and Proctor converted 1 from the free throw line to put Duke up 2. Overall, the Blue Devils ended the game on a 22-11 run, pushing past a tough Wake Forest team for the win 63-56.

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