Duke Dominates Mount St. Mary’s in NCAA Opener

Duke Dominates Mount St. Mary’s in NCAA Opener \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Top-seeded Duke steamrolled Mount St. Mary’s 93-49 in Friday’s NCAA Tournament first round, led by Tyrese Proctor’s 19 points and Cooper Flagg’s strong return from injury. The Blue Devils shot 50% and drained 14 three-pointers to secure a commanding win. Duke will face Baylor in the second round, eyeing their sixth national title.

Duke Dominates Mount St. Mary’s in NCAA Opener Quick Looks:

• Duke rolled to a 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s.
• Tyrese Proctor led the Blue Devils with 19 points.
• Freshman sensation Cooper Flagg returned from injury, adding 14 points.
• Duke shot 50% from the field and hit 14 three-pointers.
• The Blue Devils built a 54-28 lead by halftime.
• Cooper Flagg looked fully recovered and confident.
• Proctor went 6-for-8 from beyond the arc.
• Duke had 21 assists and just two turnovers — a program record.
• Mount St. Mary’s struggled, shooting only 30.2% from the floor.
• Arlandus Keyes led the Mountaineers with 15 points.
• Mount St. Mary’s remains winless in the first round (0-5).
• Duke’s next challenge: ninth-seeded Baylor on Sunday.
• Sunday’s matchup reunites Duke with former guard Jeremy Roach.
• Coach Jon Scheyer praised his team’s maturity and execution.

Deep Look

Duke University made a commanding entrance into the 2024 NCAA Tournament on Friday, dismantling Mount St. Mary’s 93-49 in a game that highlighted the Blue Devils’ depth, talent, and postseason readiness. Led by sophomore guard Tyrese Proctor and freshman star Cooper Flagg, Duke set the tone early and never looked back, showcasing why they are the No. 1 seed in the East Region and one of the tournament’s top contenders.

The Blue Devils came out firing on all cylinders, opening with a blistering 13-2 run in the first five minutes. Duke’s offensive precision and defensive discipline left Mount St. Mary’s scrambling for answers. The first half was a masterclass in execution, with Duke shooting an impressive 60.6% from the field and draining 10 of their 14 total three-pointers before halftime. By the break, Duke had built a 54-28 lead, effectively putting the game out of reach.

A key storyline was the return of Cooper Flagg, who missed the final two games of the ACC Tournament due to a rolled ankle. Flagg, projected as the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and a unanimous first-team All-American, showed no signs of lingering injury. He tallied 14 points, seven rebounds, and two assists, playing with his signature confidence and poise. His early and-1 drive, which left him sprawled on the court but grinning, ignited the crowd and his teammates. Later, he soared for a backdoor dunk off a crisp feed from Patrick Ngongba, underscoring his offensive versatility.

Head coach Jon Scheyer praised Flagg’s resilience and readiness: “He looked comfortable. He looked like himself. This team feeds off his energy and leadership, even as a freshman.”

But it wasn’t just Flagg who shined. Tyrese Proctor led all scorers with 19 points and was lethal from beyond the arc, going 6-for-8 from three-point range. Proctor’s ability to hit clutch perimeter shots allowed Duke to stretch the floor and maintain offensive momentum. His contributions, combined with seamless ball movement, defined Duke’s high-efficiency offense.

One of the most remarkable statistics from the game was Duke’s 21 assists to just two turnovers — a program record. That 10.5-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio is nearly unheard of at any level, let alone on college basketball’s biggest stage. It speaks to both the coaching staff’s preparation and the players’ composure under pressure.

Mount St. Mary’s, fresh off a First Four win over American, struggled to keep pace. The Mountaineers shot only 30.2% from the field and just 5-for-27 from three-point range. Arlandus Keyes was a bright spot with 15 points, but the MAAC champions were simply overmatched. Still, coach Donny Lind was proud of his team’s grit: “Our guys played with heart and determination until the very end. We fought against one of the best teams in the country, and we’ll grow from this experience.”

This loss continues a tough first-round trend for Mount St. Mary’s, now 0-5 in first-round games — all against top seeds. Ironically, their first-round exit came in the same building where they lost to No. 1 seed North Carolina 17 years ago.

For Duke, the road now leads to a second-round showdown against ninth-seeded Baylor, who defeated Lipscomb 82-55. Sunday’s game will be particularly emotional, as it brings Duke face-to-face with former Blue Devil Jeremy Roach, who transferred to Baylor after last season. Roach’s familiarity with Duke’s system could add an intriguing dynamic to the matchup.

Duke’s win on Friday reinforced their dominance this season. The Blue Devils captured both the ACC regular-season and tournament titles for the first time since 2006 and have lost just once since November. With their roster healthy and Flagg back in form, the team is poised for a deep run.

Looking ahead, Duke will need to continue their balanced offensive approach and maintain their remarkable ball control to overcome Baylor’s aggressive defense. The Bears will test Duke with their athleticism and physicality, particularly in the paint and transition.

In terms of player development, Duke’s success has hinged on both veteran leadership and youthful talent. Proctor and Flagg are the headline names, but contributions from players like Mason Gillis and Patrick Ngongba will be critical as the tournament progresses. Gillis’ defensive toughness and Ngongba’s interior passing are underrated assets that could play pivotal roles in tighter, higher-stakes games.

For fans and analysts alike, Duke’s performance against Mount St. Mary’s was a statement win. It showed a team that’s not only loaded with talent but also disciplined, focused, and capable of executing under the pressure of March Madness. But the journey to a sixth national championship is just beginning.

Sunday’s battle against Baylor promises to be a test of resilience, strategy, and adaptability. With the stakes higher than ever, the Blue Devils will need to channel the same precision and intensity they displayed in their tournament opener if they hope to continue marching toward another banner in Cameron Indoor Stadium.

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