Cooper Flagg Leads No. 2 Duke to Dramatic Victory Over NC State

The freshman phenom Cooper Flagg delivered a masterclass performance, leading No. 2 Duke to a 78-71 victory over NC State with dominant second-half play.

Flagg's Statistical Dominance

• 28 points (22 in second half)

• 11 rebounds (7 offensive)

• 5 blocks

• 4 steals

• 11-of-15 shooting (73.3%)

• 38 minutes played

Second-Half Rally

• Duke erased 12-point halftime deficit

• Outscored NC State 45-26 after break

• Flagg scored 16 straight points during key 20-4 run

• Team shot 65% in second half

Defensive Impact

• Held NC State to 32% shooting in second half

• Limited opponents' leading scorer to 4 points after break

• Team recorded season-high 12 blocks

• Forced 15 turnovers

Season Context

• Duke improves to 18-2 (8-1 ACC)

• Seventh straight victory

• Flagg leads ACC freshmen in:

  • Scoring (19.4 PPG)

  • Rebounds (9.2 RPG)

  • Blocks (3.1 BPG)

Coach Scheyer: "Cooper showed why he's special. His ability to take over games on both ends is remarkable for a freshman."

The win strengthens Duke's position in the national championship conversation while further establishing Flagg as a leading candidate for National Freshman of the Year.