Kentucky Tops Duke 77-72 in Champions Classic

In a thrilling matchup at the Champions Classic, No. 19 Kentucky secured a 77-72 victory over No. 6 Duke, marking Mark Pope's first significant win as head coach. The Wildcats, trailing at halftime, rallied in the second half, with key contributions from Otega Oweh, who scored 15 points and made crucial free throws in the final moments. Cooper Flagg of Duke, who had an impressive 26-point game, faltered late with two critical turnovers, allowing Kentucky to seal the win. Duke struggled with three-point shooting, hitting only 4 of 23 attempts, while Kentucky capitalized with 10 of 25. This game not only showcases Kentucky's resilience but also highlights the impact of Pope's coaching after the departure of John Calipari. Both teams will look to bounce back in their upcoming games, with Kentucky set to host Lipscomb next.