The January 27, 2025, matchup between NC State and Duke was a rollercoaster of a game that had fans hooked from start to finish. Duke, ranked No. 2 in the nation, managed to pull out a 74-64 win, but not without plenty of drama and a strong fight from NC State.
A Tale of Two Halves
NC State's Hot Start
The Wolfpack came out firing on all cylinders in the first half. Their energy was electric, and they built an early lead, at one point going up by 13 points. Their offense looked smooth, and their defense gave Duke some serious trouble. Heading into halftime, NC State held a 37-33 lead, but you could sense Duke was starting to wake up.
Duke Turns the Tide
The second half was a completely different story. Duke’s freshman star Cooper Flagg absolutely took over the game. After scoring just 5 points in the first half, Flagg exploded for 23 in the second, finishing with 28 overall. His scoring spree included everything from deep shots to powerful drives, and it was the spark Duke needed.
Duke went on a massive 19-0 run that stretched across the end of the first half and the start of the second, completely flipping the momentum. From there, the Blue Devils were in control, but NC State wasn’t about to roll over.
NC State’s Grit and Resilience
Despite the momentum shift, NC State fought hard to keep it close. They managed to trim Duke’s lead to just one point twice in the second half, with the score sitting at 63-62 at one point. Key contributors like Dontrez Styles (18 points) and freshman Trey Parker (a career-high 15 points) kept the Wolfpack in the fight. Their determination and effort showed they could hang with one of the best teams in the country.
The Game-Changers
One of the biggest differences in this game was free throws. Duke went to the line 28 times, converting 24 of them, while NC State only had 7 attempts, making 6. That 18-point difference in free throws was a major factor in Duke’s win.
Interestingly, NC State actually shot better from the field and beyond the arc than Duke, but the free throws and Duke’s timely runs proved to be the deciding factors.
A Few Unusual Moments
The game wasn’t without its oddities. Duke’s Khaman Maluach had a brief stoppage in the game after he vomited on the court, which added a weird twist to the night. There was also a moment when a student line monitor fainted courtside, though she thankfully recovered and walked out on her own.
What This Game Means
For Duke, this win extended their incredible 14-game winning streak and kept them perfect in ACC play (10-0). They’re now 18-2 overall and look like one of the strongest teams in the country. Cooper Flagg continues to prove why he’s one of the top freshmen in the nation.
For NC State, it was their fifth loss in a row, dropping them to 9-11 overall and 2-7 in the ACC. While the loss stings, their first-half performance and their ability to push Duke to the limit were big positives. If they can build on that effort, there’s still hope for a turnaround.
Final Thoughts
This game was a classic example of why college basketball is so much fun. It had everything—hot starts, huge comebacks, standout performances, and some bizarre moments to keep things interesting. While Duke took the win, NC State earned respect for their grit and effort. Fans of both teams will definitely remember this one!
