In the final 10.3 seconds, No. 19 Kentucky secured a significant victory for Mark Pope’s coaching career by defeating No. 6 Duke 77-72 during the Champions Classic on Tuesday night.
During the chaotic final moments, Duke (2-1) managed to level the score at 72 thanks to Cooper Flagg’s layup with 1:14 left, but they were unable to attempt another shot afterward.
Flagg’s impressive 26-point performance was marred by two turnovers in the last minute, which ultimately led to the Wildcats (3-0) winning the game.
Oweh contributed with a critical steal that resulted in two free throws, followed by snagging an offensive rebound from a missed free throw by Lamont Butler, earning two additional free throws with just 0.5 seconds on the clock.
Andrew Carr led Kentucky with 17 points, while Oweh added 15.
This victory was particularly significant for Pope, a former Kentucky player, who took over following the exit of longtime coach John Calipari.
Duke had only seven turnovers throughout the game, but Flagg’s errors at the end cost them a chance to win.
Kentucky displayed a well-rounded team effort, with only three players scoring in double figures, yet nine players contributed points overall.
A crucial moment came when Duke was trailing 74-72; Flagg lost his balance while dribbling into the corner and inadvertently touched the end line, handing possession to the Wildcats with just 5 seconds left. Duke struggled from long range, going 4 for 23 on three-pointers, while Kentucky excelled, hitting 10 of 25 from beyond the arc.
