Electric Cooper Flagg, Duke men’s basketball surge past BC

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Jan. 19—CHESTNUT HILL — It was a sluggish start for the Duke men’s basketball team, but Cooper Flagg and Tyrese Proctor kept the Blue Devils in front.

They kept up their play in the second half. This time, they had company.

Flagg scored 28 points, Proctor added 20, and No. 3 Duke sped by Boston College, 80-55, in Flagg’s first, and likely only, return trip to New England with the Blue Devils.

The game at BC’s Conte Forum was sold out, with many of them pulling for the Blue Devils, and the freshman standout and projected No. 1 pick in the NBA draft gave them something to cheer about.

“I think I expected it. I heard from a lot of people leading up (to it),” Flagg said. “I wouldn’t say I felt any type of pressure. For me, it was more of just a blessing.”

Both coaches acknowledged the raucous crowd, worked to a frenzy to support — or, for the Eagles faithful, pull against — the kid from Maine.

“That atmosphere was unbelievable,” BC coach Earl Grant said. “If you weren’t ready to play, you need to choose a different sport.”

Scheyer agreed.

“What a special turnout,” he said. “We’ve been here a lot. The representation of Duke fans has always been great, this was I think the best I’ve ever seen it. And I think a lot of it has to do with Maine.”

The win took some work, which pleased Duke coach Jon Scheyer.

“I’m proud of our team tonight,” he said. “I thought our second half was really good. Give Boston College a ton of credit, they came out very physical, very ready to play. And they knocked us back a little bit. I thought it was great for us to be in that environment, and that experience.”

Chad Venning scored 19 points to lead the Eagles (9-9, 1-6 ACC), while Donald Hand Jr. had 12.

“(It was) definitely little stuff, like breakdowns, defensive slip-ups here and there. Fatigue,” Venning said. “They’re a really good team.”

Boston College got its upset bid started in auspicious fashion, jumping out to an 18-11 lead while Eagles fans at the sold-out Conte Forum showered Flagg with…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/electric-cooper-flagg-duke-mens-091600621.html

Author : Portland Press Herald, Maine

Publish date : 2025-01-19 09:16:00

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