Duke Dominates Mount St. Mary’s in NCAA Tournament Opener
RALEIGH, N.C. — The Duke Blue Devils showcased their dominance in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, defeating Mount St. Mary’s with an impressive score of 93-49. Tyrese Proctor led the charge with 19 points, while highly-touted freshman Cooper Flagg made a strong return from an ankle injury, contributing 14 points and seven rebounds.
Duke, the top seed in the East bracket, quickly established control of the game, jumping to a 13-2 lead in the first half. Their teamwork and sharp shooting allowed them to maintain a commanding lead, finishing the game with a 50% shooting rate, including a remarkable 14 three-pointers. Proctor was especially effective from beyond the arc, hitting 6 of 8 attempts.
Coach Jon Scheyer applauded his team’s maturity, emphasizing the importance of the win as they prepare for upcoming challenges. "Proud of the performance. We have to move on very quickly, but really good to get our feet wet and understand what the tournament is all about," he noted.
Flagg, a top prospect poised for the NBA, came into the game ready to make an impact after missing the last two games of Duke’s ACC Tournament run. He expressed confidence in his fitness, saying he felt "completely 100 percent" heading into the matchup.
At halftime, Duke held a solid 54-28 lead after shooting an impressive 60.6%. Meanwhile, Arlandus Keyes led the scoring for the Mountaineers with 15 points. Despite their effort, Mount St. Mary’s struggled with their shooting, connecting on just 30.2% of their attempts.
Mount St. Mary’s coach Donny Lind praised his team’s heart and determination throughout the game, expressing pride in their effort despite the defeat. This marked the Mountaineers’ seventh appearance in the NCAA Tournament, but unfortunately, their record remains winless in the first round against first-seeded teams.
Looking ahead, Duke’s next matchup is set against Baylor, where they will face former Blue Devils guard Jeremy Roach, who transferred to the Bears after last season. After this strong start, Duke aims to continue its quest for a sixth national title.
