OkCooper Flagg delivered a standout performance, scoring 27 points to lead No. 3 Duke to a commanding 78-57 victory over California on Wednesday night at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The win extended Duke’s home winning streak to 14 games and helped the Blue Devils bounce back from their first conference loss of the season.
Duke (21-3, 13-1 ACC) came out strong, establishing early dominance and never looking back. Flagg was unstoppable, shooting 8-for-14 from the field and a perfect 9-for-9 from the free-throw line, while also adding five rebounds and two steals on the defensive end.
Flagg’s Impact & Coach K’s High Praise
The freshman guard wasted no time making his presence felt, scoring 13 first-half points to help Duke build a 38-23 halftime lead. Flagg’s versatility and confidence were on full display, earning him high praise from head coach Mike Krzyzewski, who said:
“He’s a special player. He can do it all – shoot, drive, defend – and he showed that tonight.”
Supporting Cast Steps Up
While Flagg stole the spotlight, Tyrese Proctor provided a strong 18-point, 4-rebound performance, and Khaman Maluach recorded a double-double (10 points, 12 rebounds). Their contributions on both ends of the floor helped Duke maintain control against a struggling California team.
California’s Struggles & Duke’s Defensive Edge
Despite a valiant effort from Jeremiah Wilkinson, who led California (13-11, 6-7 Pac-12) with 21 points, the Golden Bears struggled to find their rhythm offensively. Duke’s top-ranked ACC defense, which entered the game holding opponents to 38.5% shooting, stifled California, limiting them to just 35.1% from the field.
Key Moment: Duke’s Second-Half Surge
Midway through the second half, Duke put the game out of reach with back-to-back three-pointers from Maluach and Flagg, extending their lead to 28-15. The 7-foot-2 Maluach’s second three-pointer of the season sent the Cameron Indoor crowd into a frenzy, marking a pivotal moment in the game.
Final Takeaways & What’s Next
With this win, Duke remains atop the ACC standings and looks poised for a strong postseason run. The electric atmosphere at Cameron was a testament to the team’s renewed energy and confidence, especially after the loss to Clemson. Flagg even capped off the night with a breakaway reverse dunk, earning a rare courtside smile from Coach K.
Both teams return to action on Saturday:
- Duke hosts Stanford, aiming to continue their dominance at home.
- California visits Georgia Tech, looking to rebound and strengthen their NCAA Tournament resume.
As the regular season winds down, Duke is proving to be one of the most complete teams in the country, while California will need to regroup and finish strong to improve their postseason chances.
