DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Cooper Flagg set an Atlantic Coast Conference freshman record with 42 points and No. 4 Duke defeated Notre Dame 86-78 on Saturday to remain undefeated in conference play. did.
The preseason Associated Press All-American is 6-foot-9 and made 11-of-14 shooting, 4-of-6 3-pointers and 16-of-17 foul shots. He also had seven assists and six rebounds, and single-handedly crushed Notre Dame’s defense with his all-around floor game.
Kaman Maruaha added a season-high 19 points for Duke (14-2, 6-0).
For the Fighting Irish, Marcus Burton scored 23 points (7-9, 1-4) and made 14 of 23 3-point shots, keeping things interesting until the end.
takeout
Notre Dame: The Irish fell into a 14-0 hole here, trailing by as many as 18 points in the second half, but made it a two-possession game late.
Duke: The Blue Devils topped the league’s first division, shooting 51.6% and winning four of their first five ACC games by 20 points or more. Things are even tougher this time around, with Notre Dame (48.2%) becoming the fourth opponent to shoot 40% all year.
important moment
Notre Dame got as close as 80-76 in the second half against Barton’s runners, but Flagg answered with two free throws and Barton missed a drive on the ensuing possession. Maruaha then made two free throws with 15.8 seconds left to cut the deficit back to two possessions.
Main status
Flagg has made 12 of 22 3-point shots over the past six games. He was just 8 of 36 in his first 10 games in college.
to the next
The Fighting Irish host Boston College on Monday. The Blue Devils concluded a three-game homestand against Miami on Tuesday.
