CHICAGO — Caleb Foster looked more like a player who had been there and done that than a freshman in his third game.
Foster made one big basket after another, scoring 18 points to help propel No. 9 Duke to a 74-65 win over No. 18 Michigan State in the Champions Classic on Tuesday night. And he did it after not attempting a shot in the Blue Devils’ previous game.
Kyle Filipowski scored 15 points for the Blue Devils (2-1), who withstood several pushes by the Spartans (1-2) after grabbing an 11-point halftime.
Foster scored all but two of his points in the second half, including back-to-back 3-pointers to expand Duke’s lead to 68-56 with just under two minutes remaining. He was 7 of 8 from the field and 4 of 5 from beyond the arc.
There have been plenty of highs and lows already for Foster, who scored 15 points in a season-opening win over Dartmouth but was scoreless in 13 minutes in a home loss last week to then-No. 12 Arizona.
“My mindset was just to be ready when coach called my name,” Foster said. “Before the game, my teammates and my coaches were just telling me to be ready. I feel like I work hard for this moment, it’s a moment I’ve dreamed of, and so, yeah, just coming in and be ready.”
Fair to say, he impressed coach Jon Scheyer.
“Every high school player in the country should follow what he’s done the last two games because it’s what it’s all about, the attitude, the mindset, the work, he’s crushed it,” Scheyer said.
Filipowski, who scored 25 points in each of Duke’s first two games, had 10 points in the second half. The preseason All-American grabbed eight rebounds.
Mark Mitchell and Tyrese Proctor each scored 13 points as Scheyer got a win in front of his hometown crowd. He starred at Glenbrook North High School — about 25 miles from the United Center in Northbrook, Illinois — before becoming an All-American player and longtime assistant for Hall of Famer Mike Krzyzewski.
Tyson Walker led Michigan State with 22 points and Malik Hall scored 18. The Spartans shot 6 of 19 on 3-pointers after going 2 for 31 during their first two games, a season-opening loss to James Madison and a blowout win over Southern Indiana.
Duke hosts Bucknell on Friday.
Queens 74, High Point 72
CHARLOTTE — AJ McKee’s 21 points helped Queens University defeat High Point 74-72 on Tuesday night.
McKee had six rebounds for the Royals (1-2). BJ McLaurin was 5-of-12 shooting, including 4 for 7 from 3-point range, to add 18 points. Deyton Albury had nine points.
Duke Miles finished with 21 points for the Panthers (1-2). Kimani Hamilton added 15 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks for High Point. Kezza Giffa also had eight points.
Queens’ next game is Saturday against Fairfield. High Point plays Iona on Monday.
UNC Wilmington 116, Columbia International 80
WILMINGTON — Trazarien White had 22 points in UNC Wilmington’s 116-80 victory over NAIA-member Columbia International on Tuesday night.
White also had four steals for the Seahawks (3-0). Nick Farrar added 16 points while finishing 7 of 7 from the floor, and he also had six rebounds. Shykeim Phillips and KJ Jenkins added 15 points apiece.
DiAnthony Heathcock led the way for the Rams with 16 points. Christian Howard added 10 points for Columbia International.
UNC Asheville 117, Carolina University 54
ASHEVILLE — Toyaz Solomon scored 16 points as UNC Asheville beat Carolina University 117-54 on Tuesday night.
Solomon also contributed eight rebounds for the Bulldogs (1-2). Davion Cunningham added 15 points while shooting 6 of 7 from the field, and he also had five rebounds. Jamon Battle had 15 points and finished 7 of 7 from the floor.
Luka Suster led the way for the Bruins with 16 points. Jayden Jackson added 11 points for Carolina University. In addition, Cameron Parker finished with nine points.
Up next for UNC Asheville is a Saturday matchup with Virginia-Lynchburg at home
Vanderbilt 74, UNC Greensboro 70
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Ezra Manjon scored 14 of his 24 points in the second half and was perfect from the line to help Vanderbilt hold off UNC Greensboro 74-70 on Tuesday night.
Colin Smith added 13 points and 11 rebounds and Evan Taylor scored nine of his 12 points in the second half for the Commodores (2-1), who led 41-29 at halftime before seeing the Spartans close within two.
After Keyshaun Langley’s basket cut Vanderbilt’s lead to 62-60 with 2:50 remaining, Manjon and Taylor scored six points each to fend off the Spartans (1-1). Langley hit a 3-pointer with eight seconds remaining to again get UNCG within two before Manjon sealed it with two more free throws.
Manjon finished 12-of-12 at the line, including 10 in the second half. Vanderbilt was 11 of 29 on 3-point attempts but gave up 15 points off 12 turnovers. The Commodores were 17 of 18 at the line to the Spartans’ 5-of-7.
Langley scored 26 points and Mikeal Brown-Jones 24 for UNCG.
The Spartans next play at No. 14 Arkansas on Friday.
Virginia 80, North Carolina A&T 51
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Ryan Dunn had his first career double-double and Leon Bond III scored 16 points on 8-of-10 shooting to help Virginia beat North Carolina A&T 80-51 Tuesday night.
Dunn finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks and two steals. Jake Groves added 11 points and nine rebounds for Virginia (3-0), which never trailed.
Isaac McKneely and Groves made back-to-back 3-pointers to cap a 16-4 run that pushed the lead into double figures for good less than 8 minutes into the game, Bond hit a jumper to give the Cavaliers a 20-point lead with 8:55 left in the first half and Dante Harris made two free throws to made it 49-19 at halftime.
Landon Glasper, the lone N.C. A&T (0-3) player to score in double figures, had 18 points on 5-of-16 shooting, including going 5 of 11 from 3-point range.
The Aggies are off until Nov. 22, when they play Merrimack at the Samford Tournament.
North Carolina Central 113, Mid-Atlantic Christian 50
