DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Rocket Watts scored 20 points and Julius Marble had a career-high 12 to help No. 8 Michigan State beat No. 6 Duke 75-69 on Tuesday night in the Champions Classic.
The Spartans (3-0) trailed by 10 early in the game but closed the first half with a 13-4 surge to take a 37-33 lead at halftime. Michigan State maintained control in the second half, leading by as many as 16.
The Blue Devils (1-1) rallied late and pulled within five in the final minute. Duke shot just 32% from the field and allowed five Spartans to score in double figures.
Joey Hauser had 11 points and 10 rebounds for Michigan State. Aaron Henry had 14 points, five rebounds, five assists, three steals and three blocks. Malik Hall added 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Matthew Hurt had 21 points and 13 rebounds for Duke. Freshman Jalen Johnson was limited to 11 points on 4-of-11 shooting, Jaemyn Brakefield added 11 points and Jordan Goldwire had 10.
NO. 4 WISCONSIN 82, GREEN BAY 42
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Micah Potter scored 14 points, Tyler Wahl had 11 points and 15 rebounds, and Wisconsin breezed past Green Bay in Phoenix coach Will Ryan’s return to Madison.
Ryan is the son of former Badgers head coach Bo Ryan. Will Ryan and current Badgers coach Greg Gard worked together on Bo Ryan’s Wisconsin staff from 2002-07.
Aleem Ford and Nate Reuvers each scored 13 points for the Badgers (3-0), and Brad Davison added 10 points.
Josh Jefferson led Green Bay (0-2) with 12 points.
NO. 9 CREIGHTON 94, OMAHA 67
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Christian Bishop scored 18 points to lead Creighton in the rout of Omaha.
The Bluejays (2-0) shot 61% while bolting to a 50-26 halftime lead.
Denzel Mahoney, who sat out the opener because of COVID-19 issues, finished with 17 points, Antwann Jones scored 12, Marcus Zegarowski had 11 points and 11 assists, Damien Jefferson added 11 points and Ryan Kalkbrenner 10.
Marlon Ruffin scored 14 of his 18 points in the second half and Matt Pile had a game-high nine rebounds to lead the Mavericks (1-3).
NO. 12 VILLANOVA 87, HARTFORD 53
