Flagg Shines as No. 5 Duke Defeats George Mason 68-47
DURHAM, N.C. — Freshman phenom Cooper Flagg showcased his immense potential with a standout 24-point performance, leading the No. 5 Duke Blue Devils to a commanding 68-47 victory over George Mason on Tuesday night. In a defensive masterclass, the Blue Devils held the Patriots to just 29% shooting from the field, further solidifying their reputation as one of the top defensive teams in the country.
Flagg, widely regarded as one of the best high school recruits in recent years, lived up to the hype, displaying his scoring versatility and defensive prowess. The 6-foot-9 forward shot efficiently from the floor and added key rebounds and blocks, energizing the Cameron Indoor Stadium crowd.
“Cooper has a knack for rising to the occasion,” Duke head coach Jon Scheyer said postgame. “His ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor is special, and he showed that tonight.”
Duke’s defensive intensity was evident from the start. The Blue Devils forced George Mason into contested shots and limited their ability to find rhythm offensively. The Patriots, who came into the game averaging over 70 points per contest, struggled to find quality looks, finishing the game 17-for-59 from the field.
Jeremy Roach provided a steady veteran presence for Duke, contributing 12 points and six assists while orchestrating the offense. Sophomore Kyle Filipowski added 10 points and eight rebounds, asserting his dominance in the paint.
Despite Duke’s strong defensive showing, the Patriots made brief runs in the first half, closing the gap to single digits at times. However, every surge was countered by Flagg’s scoring bursts and timely three-pointers from Roach and Tyrese Proctor.
“Credit to Duke’s defense,” George Mason head coach Tony Skinn said. “They made it tough for us to execute our game plan. We missed some shots we usually make, but their pressure had a lot to do with that.”
The win improves Duke’s record to 10-1 as they continue to build momentum heading into conference play. Flagg’s emergence as a consistent offensive force adds a new dimension to the Blue Devils’ attack, complementing their established core of Roach, Filipowski, and Proctor.
Duke will look to extend their winning streak when they face a tough road test against No. 12 Miami this Saturday. Meanwhile, George Mason falls to 6-4 and will aim to regroup as they prepare for conference play in the Atlantic 10.
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