Tyrese Proctor and Kon Knueppel starred as the Blue Devils used a 12-0 run in the early moments of the second half to flip a 38-33 halftime deficit into a 57-47 advantage with 11:08 to go…
DURHAM, N.C. — April 13, 2025 — Tyrese Proctor and Kon Knueppel delivered standout performances as the Duke Blue Devils stormed back in the second half to claim a 74-65 victory, using a decisive 12-0 run to flip the momentum and secure the win.
Trailing 38-33 at halftime, the Blue Devils emerged from the locker room with renewed energy and purpose. Just minutes into the second half, Proctor orchestrated a dazzling 12-0 run that turned the five-point deficit into a 10-point lead, igniting the Cameron Indoor Stadium crowd and putting Duke firmly in control. By the 11:08 mark, the scoreboard read 57-47 in favor of the home team.
“We knew we had to make a statement coming out of the break,” Proctor said after the game. “We weren’t playing with enough urgency in the first half. Coach challenged us, and we responded.”
Proctor finished with a team-high 21 points and 7 assists, slicing through the defense with precision and making key plays when it mattered most. His ability to push the pace and create space was critical in fueling Duke’s second-half rally.
Equally impressive was freshman standout Kon Knueppel, who chipped in with 18 points and 6 rebounds. Knueppel’s composure and shot-making helped stretch the defense and provided consistent scoring support to Proctor. The 6-foot-6 wing hit back-to-back threes during the pivotal run, silencing the visiting fans and energizing the Duke faithful.
“I just try to stay ready and take the right shots,” Knueppel said. “When Tyrese is creating like that, it makes my job easy.”
The Blue Devils’ defense also turned up the intensity, holding their opponent scoreless during the five-minute stretch that defined the game. Duke forced three turnovers and limited second-chance opportunities, while dominating the boards during the run.
“That stretch showed what we’re capable of on both ends,” said head coach Jon Scheyer. “We defended with purpose, got out in transition, and executed offensively. That’s the kind of basketball we need to play for 40 minutes.”
Despite a late push from the opposition, Duke never let the lead slip below seven points the rest of the way. A clutch three-pointer from Proctor with under four minutes to play put the game out of reach and capped off an impressive night for the junior guard.
The win marked a key bounce-back performance for the Blue Devils, who had struggled to maintain consistency over the past few games. With the victory, Duke improves to 18-7 on the season and gains momentum heading into a critical stretch of conference play.
“This one was big,” Knueppel said. “We want to keep building and playing our best basketball at the right time.”
Duke returns to action next Saturday, looking to carry their second-half dominance forward as they continue their push toward postseason positioning.
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