College men’s basketball: Duke wins a top-20 matchup on the road

By DAVID BRANDT AP Sports Writer TUCSON, Ariz.

(AP) Duke freshman phenom Cooper Flagg got his first taste of a true college road atmosphere on Friday night, playing in front of a raucous announced crowd of 14,634 at Arizonas McKale Center.

For a few early moments, he looked a little nervous.

It was fleeting.

Flagg scored 16 points in the second half, finishing with a game-high 24 as No.

12 Duke pulled away for a 69-55 win over No.

17 Arizona.

The preseason All-American shot 10 of 22 from the field, grabbed six rebounds and had three assists, two blocks and a steal.

In the first half, I was a little soft on my finishes, Flagg said.

It was a high-level college basketball game, really physical.

Theyre a physical team.

But I found my footing and started playing off two feet a little better.

Flagg the nations No.

1 overall recruit who wowed NBA stars in a workout against the U.S.

Olympic Team this summer is no stranger to high expectations.

The 6-foot-9 forward has been very good in his first five career games, averaging 17.8 points.

But a hostile crowd of this magnitude was something different.

Itll be the first of many.

The environment tonight to get tested this early in the season on the road I find incredible value in it and I think our guys would say the same thing after tonight, Duke coach Jon Scheyer said.

Flagg got better as the game progressed and quieted the McKale Center with a one-handed jam in traffic to give the Blue Devils a 46-33 lead with 12:31 left.

It was the beginning of an offensive onslaught that included 10 points over about six minutes.

Fellow freshman Kon Knueppel also had good moments late in the game, hitting two crucial 3-pointers.

Knueppel finished with 13.

But its Flagg that attracts most of the eyeballs from fans and opposing players.

So far, hes proven worthy.

Hes tall and athletic and can finish over a lot of bodies, Arizonas KJ Lewis said.

I dont know.

Hes just super athletic.

We did a good job containing him in the first half, but then we went away from the game plan, didnt communicate and he found openings.

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