College Sports

Duke’s Cooper Flagg returns to action as the Blue Devils open NCAA Tournament play against Mount St. Mary’s

By Ethan Hyman

Updated March 21, 2025 8:16 PM

Duke’s Cooper Flagg (2) celebrates after slamming in two during the first half of Duke’s game against Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. — Duke’s Cooper Flagg (2) celebrates after slamming in two during the first half of Duke’s game against Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Duke superstar Cooper Flagg returned to action as the Blue Devils faced the Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers in the first round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

Flagg was injured in the ACC Tournament and had missed Duke’s last two games, including a narrow win over rival North Carolina.

Duke led 54-28 after a dominating first half performance.

The Duke bench celebrates after Darren Harris slammed in two during the second half of Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. — The Duke bench celebrates after Darren Harris slammed in two during the second half of Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Duke’s Tyrese Proctor (5) celebrates making a three-pointer during the second half of Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. — Duke’s Tyrese Proctor (5) celebrates making a three-pointer during the second half of Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Duke’s Caleb Foster (1) steals the ball from Mount St. Mary’s Arlandus Keyes (2) during the second half of Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. — Duke’s Caleb Foster (1) steals the ball from Mount St. Mary’s Arlandus Keyes (2) during the second half of Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Duke’s Cooper Flagg (2) blocks the shot by Mount St. Mary’s Jedy Cordilia (14) during Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. Duke’s Patrick Ngongba II (21) also defends. — Duke’s Cooper Flagg (2) blocks the shot by Mount St. Mary’s Jedy Cordilia (14) during Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. Duke’s Patrick Ngongba II (21) also defends. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Duke’s Tyrese Proctor (5) passes the ball around Mount St. Mary’s Xavier Lipscomb (45) during the second half of Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. — Duke’s Tyrese Proctor (5) passes the ball around Mount St. Mary’s Xavier Lipscomb (45) during the second half of Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Duke fans cheer on the Blue Devils during the second half of Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. — Duke fans cheer on the Blue Devils during the second half of Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Duke’s Sion James (14) tries to drive around Mount St. Mary’s Jedy Cordilia (14) during the first half of Duke’s game against Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. — Duke’s Sion James (14) tries to drive around Mount St. Mary’s Jedy Cordilia (14) during the first half of Duke’s game against Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Mount St. Mary’s Jedy Cordilia (14) fouls Duke’s Mason Gillis (18) during the first half of Duke’s game against Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. — Mount St. Mary’s Jedy Cordilia (14) fouls Duke’s Mason Gillis (18) during the first half of Duke’s game against Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Duke’s Cooper Flagg (2) celebrates after Caleb Foster made a three-pointer during the second half of Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. — Duke’s Cooper Flagg (2) celebrates after Caleb Foster made a three-pointer during the second half of Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Duke’s Patrick Ngongba II (21) and Mount St. Mary’s Dola Adebayo (4) go after the ball during Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. — Duke’s Patrick Ngongba II (21) and Mount St. Mary’s Dola Adebayo (4) go after the ball during Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Duke’s Sion James (14) keeps his eye on a loose ball during the second half of Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. — Duke’s Sion James (14) keeps his eye on a loose ball during the second half of Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Duke’s Patrick Ngongba II (21) blocks the shot by Mount St. Mary’s Dallas Hobbs (8) during the second half of Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. — Duke’s Patrick Ngongba II (21) blocks the shot by Mount St. Mary’s Dallas Hobbs (8) during the second half of Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Duke’s Cooper Flagg (2) drives between Mount St. Mary’s Jedy Cordilia (14) and Arlandus Keyes (2) during the first half of Duke’s game against Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. — Duke’s Cooper Flagg (2) drives between Mount St. Mary’s Jedy Cordilia (14) and Arlandus Keyes (2) during the first half of Duke’s game against Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

A fan cheers on the Blue Devils during the second half of Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. — A fan cheers on the Blue Devils during the second half of Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Duke’s Tyrese Proctor (5) drives past Mount St. Mary’s Arlandus Keyes (2) during the first half of Duke’s game against Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. — Duke’s Tyrese Proctor (5) drives past Mount St. Mary’s Arlandus Keyes (2) during the first half of Duke’s game against Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Duke’s Khaman Maluach (9) slams in two during the first half of Duke’s game against Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. — Duke’s Khaman Maluach (9) slams in two during the first half of Duke’s game against Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Duke’s Sion James (14) and Patrick Ngongba II (21) pressure Mount St. Mary’s Jedy Cordilia (14) during the first half of Duke’s game against Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. — Duke’s Sion James (14) and Patrick Ngongba II (21) pressure Mount St. Mary’s Jedy Cordilia (14) during the first half of Duke’s game against Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Duke’s Cooper Flagg (2) blocks the shot by Mount St. Mary’s Jedy Cordilia (14) during the first half of Duke’s game against Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. — Duke’s Cooper Flagg (2) blocks the shot by Mount St. Mary’s Jedy Cordilia (14) during the first half of Duke’s game against Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Duke’s Khaman Maluach (9) celebrates hitting a three-pointer during the first half of Duke’s game against Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. — Duke’s Khaman Maluach (9) celebrates hitting a three-pointer during the first half of Duke’s game against Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Duke’s Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after slamming in two during the first half of Duke’s game against Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. — Duke’s Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after slamming in two during the first half of Duke’s game against Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Duke’s Kon Knueppel (7) drives to the basket as Mount St. Mary’s Dallas Hobbs (8) defends during the second half of Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. — Duke’s Kon Knueppel (7) drives to the basket as Mount St. Mary’s Dallas Hobbs (8) defends during the second half of Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Duke’s Darren Harris (8) heads to slam in two during Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. — Duke’s Darren Harris (8) heads to slam in two during Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

The Duke bench, including Patrick Ngongba II (21), Maliq Brown, Tyrese Proctor (5), Khaman Maluach (9), Cooper Flagg (2) and Isaiah Evans (3) celebrate after Darren Harris (8) slammed in two during the second half of Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. — The Duke bench, including Patrick Ngongba II (21), Maliq Brown, Tyrese Proctor (5), Khaman Maluach (9), Cooper Flagg (2) and Isaiah Evans (3) celebrate after Darren Harris (8) slammed in two during the second half of Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Duke’s Sion James (14) shoots during Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. — Duke’s Sion James (14) shoots during Duke’s 93-49 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Duke’s Cooper Flagg (2) waits to come into the game during the first half of Duke’s game against Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. — Duke’s Cooper Flagg (2) waits to come into the game during the first half of Duke’s game against Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Duke’s Cooper Flagg laughs with Patrick Ngongba II before they take the floor before Duke’s game against Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. — Duke’s Cooper Flagg laughs with Patrick Ngongba II before they take the floor before Duke’s game against Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, March 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

This story was originally published March 21, 2025 at 4:22 PM with the headline "Duke’s Cooper Flagg returns to action as the Blue Devils open NCAA Tournament play against Mount St. Mary’s."