Cooper Flagg’s stellar performance helped No. 3 Duke extend its winning streak to 12 games with an 88-63 victory over Boston College on Saturday night. Flagg, who had a slow start, eventually found his rhythm to finish with 28 points, leading the Blue Devils to a dominant win in his first college game in New England since his move from Maine. Tyrese Proctor also contributed with 20 points, furthering Duke’s strong offensive performance.
Key Highlights
- Cooper Flagg’s Recovery: Despite missing four of his first five shots, Flagg showed resilience, scoring 28 points and silencing any doubts about his early struggles. His 11-point burst during a pivotal 11-3 run helped Duke regain control of the game and establish a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
- Duke’s Dominance in the ACC: The Blue Devils continue to show their superiority in the ACC, easily dispatching Boston College to maintain their undefeated conference record at 8-0. This win also marked Duke’s 14th double-digit victory of the season and their 11th by at least 20 points, showcasing their offensive and defensive prowess.
- Boston College’s Struggles: The Eagles fought hard early on, leading for much of the first half, but ultimately fell short as Duke took control. Chad Venning led BC with 19 points, but the team has now lost four straight ACC games since an upset win over Miami on January 1.
Key Takeaways
- Duke’s Power in the ACC: With the Blue Devils as the only Top 25 team from the ACC, their dominance in the conference is clear. Their near-perfect conference record further highlights the disparity between them and the rest of the league, which had four teams ranked in the final 2024 AP poll.
- BC’s Continued Struggles: Boston College is facing difficulties in conference play, and their four-game losing streak is a tough pill to swallow after the high of defeating Miami earlier this month.
Key Moment
The game’s early drama came when Flagg, along with Khaman Maluach, combined for a block under the Boston College basket. Flagg appeared to injure his ankle on the play and was slow to get up, but after a brief delay, he returned to action without issue, continuing his strong performance throughout the game.
Next Games
- Duke: The Blue Devils will travel to Wake Forest on Saturday, looking to extend their winning streak and maintain their hold on the top of the ACC standings.
- Boston College: The Eagles will look to bounce back when they face Virginia on Tuesday, hoping to end their losing streak and gain some momentum.
