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Cooper Flagg breaks single-game ACC freshman scoring record in win over Notre Dame
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Cooper Flagg etched his name in the Duke and ACC record books on Saturday afternoon, scoring 42 points to set the single-game ACC freshman scoring record in the Blue Devils’ 86-78 victory over Notre Dame at a rocking Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Flagg set the Duke freshman scoring record when he got to 36 points with a little over 7 minutes left in a game that No. 4 Duke led, 79-61. After the Fighting Irish stormed back to cut the deficit to 80-76, Flagg stepped up and sank 2 free throws with 24 seconds left to help save Duke from a massive collapse.
Flagg added 2 more free throws with 4 seconds left for the final margin to complete his 42-point masterpiece, helping the Blue Devils (14-2, 6-0 ACC) stay undefeated in the ACC and win their 10th straight game.
It was Duke’s first 40-point game by any player since JJ Redick did it way back in 2006.
The previous Duke freshman scoring record was shared by Zion Williamson (2019) and Jared McCain (2024).
Flagg shot 11-for-14 from the field, 4-for-6 from 3-point territory, and 16-for-17 from the foul line, including those 4 late free throws to seal the game. He also had 6 rebounds and 7 assists for good measure.
He took the ACC freshman record from Olivier Hanlan, who scored 41 points for Boston College against Georgia Tech on March 14, 2013. Former Tar Heels Harrison Barnes and Tyler Hansbrough each had 40-point games as freshmen.
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
