A Statement Win for the Blue Devils
Cooper Flagg just gave Duke fans a night to remember with a performance that will be talked about for years. In one of their most significant home games of the season, the Blue Devils showcased their dominance in the ACC with a resounding 76-47 victory over Pittsburgh. Key contributions came from Kon Knueppel, who nailed three first-half three-pointers, and Flagg, who delivered an electrifying second half to secure the Quad 1 win.
“I thought the story tonight was our collective defense. To hold [the Panthers] to 47 points is terrific,” said head coach Jon Scheyer. “And then the job that Cooper did in the second half—he’s just so competitive, and he brings out a lot of good stuff from his teammates and for our team.”
Flagg’s Second-Half Magic
Although foul trouble limited Flagg in the first half, he wasted no time making up for it after the break. Opening the second half with a smooth jumper off a screen, Flagg then grabbed two rebounds and a block in quick succession. Moments later, he delivered the highlight of the season.
Flagg intercepted a pass, charged down the court, and launched into a thunderous dunk over Guillermo Diaz Graham. The play sent Cameron Indoor Stadium into a frenzy, drawing comparisons to legendary Duke moments.
“I’ve never seen a dunk like that while I’m on the court playing,” said freshman Khaman Maluach. “I almost lost my mind out there.”
“It reminded me of a Zion [Williamson] kind of play because of how it sparked Cameron,” Scheyer added.
Pivotal Contributions from Knueppel and Maluach
While Flagg dominated the second half, the first half belonged to Kon Knueppel. The Milwaukee sharpshooter drained three timely three-pointers to help Duke build a lead. “They were timely threes,” said Scheyer. “In the first half, I thought we missed the looks. We couldn’t get separation.”
Freshman Khaman Maluach also made his presence felt. The 7-foot-2 South Sudan native opened the game with a powerful dunk and contributed on both ends of the floor, finishing with six points and five rebounds in the first half.
Duke’s Defensive Stifling and Offensive Spark
Duke’s defense was suffocating all night, holding Pittsburgh to just 31% shooting. Despite a cold streak midway through the first half, the Blue Devils relied on their defensive intensity to stay in control. “Our defense kept us in it, even when shots weren’t falling,” Scheyer said.
Offensively, the Blue Devils started hot from beyond the arc, with Tyrese Proctor, Jared James, and Flagg each connecting early. Although a 1-for-13 stretch slowed their momentum, timely buckets from Mason Gillis and Maluach helped Duke regain control before halftime.
Taking Control After the Break
The Blue Devils entered the locker room with a 34-24 lead, and the second half was all Duke. Flagg’s theatrics, combined with Knueppel’s steady scoring and contributions from the supporting cast, extended Duke’s lead. A late push by Pittsburgh was thwarted by a dominant response from Duke, highlighted by Maluach’s emphatic dunk and key free throws.
By the game’s end, all five starters had scored in double figures, showcasing the team’s depth and balance.
What’s Next for Duke?
With this victory, Duke improves to 13-2 overall and 5-0 in ACC play. The Blue Devils will look to maintain their momentum as they host Notre Dame on January 11. For now, though, this commanding win against a strong Pittsburgh team solidifies their status as the ACC’s team to beat.
Cameron Indoor Stadium once again proved to be a fortress, and with players like Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel leading the charge, Duke fans have plenty of reasons to feel optimistic about the season ahead.