Wildcats upset Blue Devils in Champions Classic

Two of faculty basketball’s greatest “blue bloods” squared off Tuesday night time in one of many sport’s greatest early-season occasions they usually did not disappoint.

In what was a back-and-forth second half, No. 18 Kentucky overcame a nine-point halftime deficit to tug off the 77-72 upset of No. 6 Duke within the nightcap of the Champions Traditional for its first signature win of the Mark Pope period in Lexington.

Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg turned over the ball twice within the remaining three possessions for the Blue Devils. Regardless of these pricey turnovers, the preseason Related Press All-American had an all-around recreation for Duke as he completed with a game-high 26 factors on 9-of-19 capturing from the sector with 12 rebounds, two assists and two blocks.

REQUIRED READING:The place is the Champions Traditional this yr? Location, schedule, historical past of faculty basketball occasion

The large storyline from Tuesday’s Champions Traditional between Duke and Kentucky is the second-half turnaround from Pope’s squad, who picked it up on each ends of the ground within the remaining 20 minutes. Within the second half alone, the Wildcats compelled six turnovers and held the Blue Devils to 29.4% from the sector. Duke shot 48.6% from the sector within the first half with only one turnover.

Main the way in which for the Wildcats was ahead Andrew Carr, with 17 factors. The Wake Forest switch had some massive photographs down the stretch for Kentucky as he scored 10 of Kentucky’s remaining 15 factors.

Duke will now return house for a one-game house stand earlier than a difficult fourth-game stretch that consists of video games vs. No. 1 Kansas, No. 4 Auburn and No. 8 Arizona. As for Kentucky, the Wildcats will subsequent play subsequent Tuesday, Nov. 19 towards Lipscomb at Rupp Area.

With that, observe alongside right here for a recap of scores, updates, highlights and extra from Duke vs. Kentucky basketball within the 2024 Champions Traditional:

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(This part was up to date with new info)

Last: Kentucky 77, Duke 72

Kentucky upsets Cooper Flagg, Duke

Kentucky secures its first signature win of the Mark Pope period because it overcomes a nine-point halftime deficit to upset No. 6 Duke 77-72 within the Champions Traditional.

Kentucky extends its result in three

Lamont Butler pushes Kentucky’s result in 75-72 with considered one of two free throws. What a second-half turnaround by Mark Pope and Kentucky, who’ve outscored Duke 38-26 within the half alone.

Cooper Flagg turns over ball

Cooper Flagg turns over the ball in entrance of the Duke bench. He regarded to have slipped earlier than turning over the ball. Kentucky will get the ball again up 74-72 with 5.5 seconds remaining.

Duke turns over ball, Kentucky retakes lead

Cooper Flagg turns over the ball. Otega Oweh hits each free throws on the line to place Kentucky up 74-72 with 10.3 seconds left.

Duke calls timeout with 26.5 seconds left, tied 72-72

The Blue Devils name their final remaining timeout. Duke will inbound the ball with 26.5 seconds remaining tied 72-72 with Kentucky. Seven seconds separate the sport clock and the shot clock.

Cooper Flagg ties it at 72-72

Flagg will get the layup to roll in to tie the sport at 72-72.

Kentucky retakes two-point lead

Andrew Carr responds rapidly to place Kentucky again up two at 72-70 with a layup and a free throw after drawing the foul on Duke’s Khaman Maluach. 1:41 remaining within the second half as a play goes to evaluation.