Kentucky Triumphs Over Duke in Champions Classic Thriller

In a closely contested game, Kentucky's strong finish secured a 77-72 victory against Duke, marking a significant win for coach Mark Pope.

Kentucky's new coach, Mark Pope, celebrated a major victory early in his tenure with a 77-72 win over Duke.
Duke's freshman star, Cooper Flagg, scored 26 points but committed crucial turnovers in the final minutes.
Kentucky's Andrew Carr and Otega Oweh were pivotal, scoring 17 and 15 points respectively to lead their team.
Duke struggled with 3-point shooting, making only 4 of 23 attempts, which hindered their ability to maintain a lead.
The win reflects a positive shift for Kentucky, highlighting their energetic playstyle and effective teamwork under Pope.