As snow covered Duke’s campus for the first time in nearly three years, freshman sensation Cooper Flagg delivered a historic performance against Notre Dame. The Blue Devils overcame a late-game surge from the Fighting Irish, securing an 86-78 victory Saturday afternoon at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Flagg set a Duke freshman record with 42 points on 11-of-14 shooting, adding seven assists and six rebounds in one of the most electrifying performances in program history.
Cooper Flagg Shines Under Pressure
The Blue Devils maintained control for most of the game, leading by as much as 18 points. But in the final minute, Notre Dame cut the lead to five with a quick 13-0 run, thanks to Markus Burton’s clutch layup. Facing intense defensive pressure, Flagg responded with calm and precision. He navigated through the press, forced a foul, and sank two critical free throws, reaching the 40-point mark.
Not only did Flagg set Duke’s freshman scoring record, but he also broke the ACC’s freshman single-game scoring record. Head coach Jon Scheyer praised his standout performance:
“Obviously, Cooper had an all-time special performance. The stats speak for themselves. Anytime we needed a basket, he came through and just willed us.”
Flagg and Maluach Lead the Charge
Flagg’s dominance wasn’t the Blue Devils’ only bright spot. Khaman Maluach, Duke’s towering 7-foot-2 center, had a breakout performance with a career-high 19 points and 10 rebounds. Maluach’s presence in the paint and ability to finish at the rim complemented Flagg’s offensive fireworks.
“I think he’s underappreciated,” Scheyer said of Maluach. “There’s not many 7-foot-2 guys in the world who can move like he can, switch one through five, and make free throws.”
The Flagg-Maluach duo proved pivotal in thwarting Notre Dame’s upset attempt. With five minutes remaining, their combined efforts extended Duke’s lead to 79-61, seemingly sealing the victory.
Notre Dame’s Resilience
Despite Duke’s dominance, Notre Dame didn’t back down. Led by sophomore Braeden Shrewsberry, Markus Burton, and Tae Davis, the Fighting Irish kept the game competitive, particularly from beyond the arc. Notre Dame hit 12 three-pointers, including several clutch shots during their second-half surge.
Burton, the reigning ACC Rookie of the Year, showcased his scoring prowess with a flurry of buckets, while Shrewsberry added seven three-pointers over two games. Davis rounded out the trio’s efforts with consistent scoring, rebounding, and playmaking.
However, foul trouble hindered Notre Dame’s defense, allowing Duke to capitalize on free-throw opportunities and maintain control of the game.
A Strong Start Sets the Tone
Duke’s early-game struggles have been a point of emphasis this season, but Saturday’s game showed marked improvement. The Blue Devils jumped out to an 11-0 lead in the opening minutes, highlighted by a lob from Flagg to Maluach and a three-pointer from Tyrese Proctor.
“At the start of the season, we had slow starts in a couple of games,” Maluach said. “Starting with energy is something we’ve worked on, and now we have to keep that energy so we don’t let teams off the hook.”
Notre Dame eventually found their rhythm, chipping away at the deficit with long-range shooting. By halftime, the Fighting Irish had made eight of their 12 three-point attempts, narrowing Duke’s lead to 44-36.
Second-Half Adjustments Pay Off
Duke came out of the locker room determined to reassert its dominance. Flagg orchestrated the offense with precision, finding Maluach for easy buckets and responding to Notre Dame’s runs with timely plays.
One of the game’s defining moments came midway through the second half when Flagg reached the 30-point mark. He backed down a defender in the post, finishing through contact for an and-one that energized the Cameron Crazies.
Notre Dame briefly cut Duke’s lead to single digits, but foul trouble and Duke’s defensive adjustments stifled the Fighting Irish. Flagg’s relentless attack and Maluach’s paint presence proved too much for Notre Dame to overcome.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, Duke extended its winning streak to 10 games and improved to 14-2 overall (6-0 in the ACC). The Blue Devils are now focused on maintaining their momentum as they continue a three-game homestand. Up next, Duke will face Miami on Tuesday, a matchup that promises to test the team’s defensive and offensive cohesion.
“We’re taking it one game at a time,” Scheyer said. “We have a deep, talented roster, and when we play together, we’re tough to beat.”
For now, the spotlight remains on Flagg, whose record-breaking performance has firmly cemented his status as one of the nation’s top players. As Duke sets its sights on March, performances like this will undoubtedly fuel their push for another deep postseason run.
Final Thoughts
The Blue Devils’ ability to weather Notre Dame’s three-point barrage and deliver under pressure highlights the team’s growth and resilience. With Flagg and Maluach leading the way, Duke has shown it can handle adversity and thrive in high-stakes moments.
As the ACC season progresses, the Blue Devils continue to establish themselves as a formidable force, capable of contending with the nation’s best. For now, Cameron Indoor Stadium remains their fortress, and their sights are set on even greater accomplishments.
