College Basketball Roundup: No. 17 Duke powers past Boston College

UNCG topped Elon in a battle of N.C. schools

Duke's Dereck Lively II celebrates after a dunk during the Blue Devils' win Saturday over Boston College in Durham. (Ben McKeown / AP Photo)

DURHAM — It took almost 29 minutes of Saturday’s game for No. 17 Duke to have a player reach a double-figure point total.

And it simply didn’t matter with the Blue Devils.

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Mark Mitchell scored 15 points and Kyle Filipowski posted 13 points and 10 rebounds for the freshman’s fifth double-double in Duke’s 75-59 victory over Boston College in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both teams.

The Blue Devils (8-2), who shot 52.8% from the field, are unbeaten in six home games under first-year coach Jon Scheyer. Jacob Grandison added 10 points off the bench.

Filipowski said it was “amazing” to see everybody “being so selfless and sharing the ball.”

Duke has had a player reach 20 points just once this season, yet they’re averaging more than 72 points per game.

“This team is built for that,” Grandison said of the variety of scorers. “I don’t think any of us cares what way we have to do it.”

CJ Penha scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half, Jaeden Zackery tacked on 14 points and reserve Devin McGlockton had 10 points for Boston College (5-4), which has lost eight straight to Duke. The Eagles have dropped consecutive games for the first time this season.

Duke broke free with several scoring runs, including an 11-0 burst that stretched the margin to 58-37 near the midway mark of the second half.

“We knew it was capable of happening when you play here if you’re not sharp with the ball,” Boston College coach Earl Grant said of Duke’s runs.

Reserves Ryan Young and Grandison, a pair of transfers from Big Ten Conference teams, combined for 12 of Duke’s first 20 points.

“Using our depth is a big thing,” Scheyer said. “We have to continue to figure out who has the hot hand that day. … The ability to play differently with different lineups, I think, is really an advantage.”

The Blue Devils led 35-23 at halftime, with Boston College checking in at 27.3% shooting from the field.

Boston College guard Makai Ashton-Langford was limited to less than nine minutes because of a right hamstring injury.

“Not having Makai was a huge (impact),” Grant said. “His ability to calm down his teammates anytime it gets hectic.”

Duke plays Iowa on Tuesday in New York.

UNC Greensboro 65, Elon 61

ELON — Mikeal Brown-Jones’ 20 points helped UNC Greensboro defeat Elon 65-61 on Saturday night.

Brown-Jones also contributed five rebounds for the Spartans (4-5). Keyshaun Langley scored 15 points and added three steals. Joryam Saizonou finished with seven points.

Sean Halloran had with 21 points and five assists for the Phoenix (1-8). Zac Ervin added 18 points for Elon. Sam Sherry also had nine points, six rebounds and two blocks. The Phoenix extended their losing streak to eight straight.

NC Central 127, Saint Andrews 40

DURHAM — Ja’Darius Harris’ 18 points helped North Carolina Central defeat Saint Andrews (NC) 127-40 on Saturday.

Harris shot 6 of 8 from the field for the Eagles (5-4). Cameron Butler added 13 points while finishing 6 of 6 from the floor, and he also had 10 rebounds. Kris Monroe made 4 for 8 from beyond the arc to finish with 13 points.

Allan Taylor finished with 12 points for the Knights. Sincere Clark added eight points and seven rebounds for Saint Andrews.

Queens 89, Paine 60

CHARLOTTE — Gavin Rains scored 12 points and grabbed 19 rebounds as Queens beat Paine 89-60 on Saturday.

AJ McKee added 12 points, six rebounds and six assists for the Royals (7-2). BJ McLaurin recorded 12 points.

Quinnton Jackson finished with 18 points and two steals for the Lions (0-1). Jakobe Williams added 16 points for Paine. In addition, Nate Adams finished with 13 points, nine rebounds and two blocks.

UNC Asheville 90, UT Martin 83

ASHEVILLE — Drew Pember scored 18 points as UNC Asheville beat UT Martin 90-83 on Saturday.

Pember added 11 rebounds and five blocks for the Bulldogs (5-3). Tajion Jones scored 17 points and added five rebounds. Fletcher Abee recorded 17 points and shot 6 for 9, including 3 for 5 from beyond the arc.

K.J. Simon finished with 20 points, four assists and four steals for the Skyhawks (4-5). KK Curry added 15 points and two steals for UT Martin. In addition, Jordan Sears had 13 points.

Chattanooga 82, Gardner-Webb 71

BOILING SPRINGS — Jake Stephens had 26 points in Chattanooga’s 82-71 win over Gardner-Webb on Saturday.

Stephens added nine rebounds and five blocks for the Mocs (5-3). Dalvin White scored 12 points and added five assists and Jamaal Walker had 10 points.

The Runnin’ Bulldogs (2-6) were led in scoring by Julien Soumaoro, who finished with 14 points and five steals. Anthony Selden had 11 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. Gardner-Webb also got 14 points from DQ Nicholas.

It was Gardner-Webb’s first home game this season.

Delaware 69, Davidson 67

NEWARK, Del. (AP) — Jyare Davis scored 25 points as Delaware beat Davidson 69-67 on Saturday.

Davis added seven rebounds, five assists, three steals, and three blocks for the Fightin’ Blue Hens (4-4). Jameer Nelson Jr. scored 15 points and added seven rebounds. L.J. Owens added 14 points.

The Wildcats (6-3) were led in scoring by Sam Mennenga, who finished with 20 points and nine rebounds. Davidson also got 17 points from Connor Kochera. In addition, Desmond Watson and Reed Bailey finished with 10 points.

South Carolina Upstate 79, Western Carolina 64

CULLOWHEE — Jordan Gainey’s 21 points helped South Carolina Upstate defeat Western Carolina 79-64 on Saturday night.

Gainey had six assists and three steals for the Spartans (4-4). Khydarius Smith added 12 points while adding eight rebounds and three blocks. Nick Alves recorded 12 points.

The Catamounts were led by Tyzhaun Claude, who finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Tre Jackson added 15 points for Western Carolina. In addition, Vonterius Woolbright had 11 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals.