DUKE GUARD Quinn Cook (2) is fouled as he drives between Kentucky’s Nerlens Noel (3) and Jarrod Polson (5) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Atlanta on Tuesday.
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 nine 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.
No. 7 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.
Anton Grady led the Vikings with 15 points.
Michigan was 25 of 40 from 3-point range in its first two games but only 9 of 24 Tuesday.
No. 21 Michigan State 67, No. 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.
The Jayhawks (1-1) led 59-54 with 5 minutes remaining, but Michigan State (1-1) rallied.
Freshman Gary Harris scored 18 points, including back-to-back baskets that sparked an 8-0 run. Down the stretch, it was all Appling.
Elijah Johnson led Kansas with 16 points.
Kansas center Jeff Withey, who played so well in last season’s NCAA tournament, wasn’t much of a factor. He was held to eight points and seven rebounds, along with four turnovers.
No. 13 UCL 80, UC Irvine 79
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jordan Adams scored 26 points, making all 16 of his free throws, and UCLA edged UC Irvine in regional play of the Legends Classic.
Will Davis II missed two free throws with 2 seconds left in regulation that would have sealed the upset for the Anteaters (1-1), who fell to 10- 35 all-time against Pac-12 teams.
No. 4 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.
After a rough first half, the Tigers (2-0) pulled away from the Braves. Missouri made just nine of its 39 attempts before the break and held a seven-point halftime advantage thanks to Pressey’s deep 3-pointer with three seconds left.
Bowers hit three 3-pointers in the second half to help Missouri take command. The Tigers used an 18-3 run after the half to blow the game open.
LeAntwan Luckett scored 14 points and Anthony Nieves added 13 for Alcorn State (1- 1).
No. 23 Connecticut 67, Vermont 49
STORRS, Conn. (AP) — Shabazz Napier scored 13 points and freshman Omar Calhoun added 12 to lead Connecticut over Vermont.
Holy Cross transfer R.J. Evans added 11 points and Tyler Olander had nine points and nine rebounds for UConn (2-0), which was playing its home opener after returning from Germany and an upset win over Michigan State last Friday in the Armed Forces Classic.
No. 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.
The Bearcats (2-0) took control with a 23-4 run in the first half that featured a pair of 3- pointers by Cashmere Wright. The point guard had all of his 11 points in the take-control half.
No. 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.
The game had been scheduled for Sunday night, but was pushed back when SDSU’s season-opening game against Syracuse on the USS Midway aircraft carrier was postponed from Friday night to Sunday afternoon because of the threat of rain. Syracuse won 62-49.
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