Duke Freshmen Shine in Season Opener Win

The Duke Blue Devils kicked off their 2024-25 college basketball season with a commanding 96-62 victory over the Maine Black Bears, showcasing the talents of their freshman phenoms, specifically Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel. Flagg, the nation's top-ranked recruit, scored 18 points, with seven rebounds and five assists, despite facing the team from his home state, where his mother played. Meanwhile, Knueppel led all scorers with 22 points, including three 3-pointers, demonstrating his offensive prowess. Duke's strong performance was emphasized by a solid second-half, where they outscored Maine 52-29, with their shooting accuracy reaching 55.6% for the game. The game marked a successful debut for Duke's highly-touted recruits, setting a promising tone for the season.