Eric Boggs 
Duke and Arizona Basketball
In a commanding display, No. 12 Duke defeated No. 17 Arizona, 69-55, on Friday, Nov. 22, at the McKale Center. Freshman Cooper Flagg led the charge with a game-high 24 points, including 16 in the second half, while adding six rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. Kon Knueppel contributed 13 points and tied for the team lead with seven rebounds. The Blue Devils’ physicality and defense proved decisive, snapping Arizona’s early-season dominance on the boards and holding them to their lowest offensive output in nearly four years.
Game Highlights
Duke leveraged a stellar defensive effort, limiting Arizona to just 39.6% shooting from the field and 26.1% from three-point range. The Wildcats, who entered the game as the national leader in rebounding margin, were out-rebounded 43-30, including a 13-6 disparity in offensive boards. This was a remarkable achievement, as Arizona had averaged over 21 offensive rebounds per game.
The Blue Devils set the tone early, overcoming a five-point Arizona run to open the game. Back-to-back three-pointers by Tyrese Proctor secured Duke’s first lead, 13-10. While Arizona fought back to tie the game at 26-26, a 6-0 Duke run to close the first half gave the Blue Devils a 34-27 advantage at the break.
Duke maintained control in the second half, fueled by timely baskets from Flagg, Knueppel, and Caleb Foster. A dominant 12-2 run extended the lead to 46-33, forcing Arizona into a timeout. Although the Wildcats made several surges, including a rally to cut the margin to 50-43, Duke’s sharp shooting and defensive stops secured the win. Knueppel’s clutch three-pointers late in the game sealed Arizona’s fate.
Statistical Highlights
- Cooper Flagg: 24 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks.
- Kon Knueppel: 13 points, 7 rebounds, including 11 points on 3-of-4 three-point shooting in the second half.
- Tyrese Proctor: 8 points, 4 assists, and 2 three-pointers.
- Duke held Arizona’s leading scorer, Caleb Love, to just 8 points on 3-of-13 shooting.
Arizona’s 55 points were its lowest since a 2020 loss at USC, and its rebounding dominance was neutralized, managing only six offensive rebounds compared to Duke’s 13.
Coach’s Corner
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer praised his team’s resilience and preparation:
“Coming into a hostile environment and holding a high-powered team like Arizona to 55 points speaks volumes about the character and fight of our players. Out-rebounding a Tommy Lloyd-coached team is no small feat, and our focus on the defensive end made the difference.”
Tyrese Proctor also emphasized the team’s focus on executing in the second half:
“We stayed together and trusted our work. Everyone contributed, and it was a total team effort.”
Up Next
Duke (4-1) remains on the road to face No. 1 Kansas on Tuesday, Nov. 26, in Las Vegas, while Arizona (2-2) travels to the Bahamas for the Battle4Atlantis tournament, opening against Davidson on Wednesday.
This victory marks a key milestone for the Blue Devils, ending a three-game losing streak to Arizona and securing their first-ever win at the McKale Center. For the Wildcats, the loss marks their first back-to-back defeats under coach Tommy Lloyd, underscoring the challenges of facing elite competition early in the season.
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