Blue Devils fight off Wildcats for 75-68 triumph

By The Associated Press

ATLANTA (AP) — Seth Curry scored 23 points and No. 9 Duke held off a furious comeback by No. 3 Kentucky, beating the defending national champions 75-68 Tuesday night in the first matchup between the storied programs since 2001.

Duke (2-0) appeared to be in control, even with Mason Plumlee on the bench in foul trouble. The Blue Devils ripped off a 13-3 run, capped by Rasheed Sulaimon’s 3-pointer that made it 58-44 with 9 1/2 minutes remaining.

But Kentucky (1-1) wasn’t done, rallying like the defending champ even though this is essentially a whole new team. The Wildcats outscored Duke 17-6 over the next six minutes and actually had a chance to tie it.

Julius Mays missed a 3-point attempt with the Blue Devils clinging to a 64-61 lead.

Curry made sure youthful Kentucky didn’t get any closer, schooling freshman guard Archie Goodwin on a drive that essentially clinched the win.

#5 Michigan……………………..77

Cleveland State…………………47

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Tim Hardaway Jr. had 17 points and six rebounds, and Michigan advanced to the semifinals of the NIT Season Tip-Off with a victory over Cleveland State.

It was the third straight victory by at least 30 points for the Wolverines (3-0), who shot 51 percent against a Cleveland State (2-1) team coming off an overtime win the day before.

#21 Michigan St………………..67

#7 Kansas…………………………64

ATLANTA (AP) — Keith Appling scored 19 points, including a brilliant drive with 13.5 seconds left, and Michigan State rebounded from a season-opening loss with an upset of Kansas.

#14 Missouri……………………..91

Alcorn………………………………54

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Phil Pressey scored 21 points and Laurence Bowers added 14 — all in the second half — to help Missouri rout Alcorn State.

#23 Connecticut………………..67

Vermont…………………………..49

STORRS, Conn. (AP) — Shabazz Napier scored 13 points and freshman Omar Calhoun added 12 to lead Connecticut over Vermont.

#24 Cincinnati………………..102

MVSU……………………………….60

CINCINNATI (AP) — Sean Kilpatrick scored 20 points and Cheikh Mbodj had four of Cincinnati’s seven blocks to help lead the Bearcats over Mississippi Valley State.

#25 San Diego St……………….91

San Diego Christian…………..57

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Jamaal Franklin had 28 points and 12 rebounds as San Diego State bounced back from a loss to Syracuse with a win over San Diego Christian of the NAIA.