Mark Pope Leads Kentucky Over No. 6 Duke 77-72, Ending Nine-Year Drought

Nov 13, 2024, 04:34 AM

Kentucky defeated Duke 77-72 in the Champions Classic in Atlanta on Tuesday night, marking a significant early-season victory for new head coach Mark Pope. The Wildcats overcame a nine-point halftime deficit, snapping a four-game losing streak in the event and securing their first win over Duke in nine years. Kentucky's second-half defense limited Duke to 29.4% shooting, while their own offense improved to 43.8%. Otegah Oweh contributed 15 points, including crucial free throws in the final moments. Duke's Cooper Flagg led all scorers with 26 points and 12 rebounds but committed two critical turnovers late in the game.