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BASKETBALL

Top Ranked Duke Tops Eighth Ranked Auburn In The Semifinals Of The Maui Jim Maui Invitational, Advances To The Championship Game

Most of Duke’s games this season so far haven’t been close but on Tuesday night in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational they were in their first close game of the regular season against Auburn but in end it was Duke who advanced to the championship game.

R.J. Barrett and Cam Reddish scored 18 points each, and top-ranked Duke survived its stiffest challenge of the season, holding off No. 8 Auburn 78-72 Tuesday night to reach the Maui Invitational title game. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211781471

The Blue Devils (5-0) got off to another stellar start, looking as if they run another top-10 team out of the gym. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211781471

The Tigers (4-1) clawed back, trimming a 17-point deficit to 61-56 in the second half by fearlessly attacking Duke at both ends. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211781471

But every time Auburn tried to get closer, the Blue Devils answered with an alley-oop dunk or step-back jumper. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211781471

Marques Bolden anchored Duke's defense, blocking seven shots while finishing with 11 points and nine rebounds. The Blue Devils blocked 11 shots overall. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211781471

Jared Harper had 22 points and Bryce Brown 16 for Auburn. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211781471

Top ranked Duke will play third ranked Gonzaga on Wednesday in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational Championship Game.

Tip-off is set for 5:00pm from Lahaina Civic Center. The game will be televised on ESPN. “according to http://www.goduke.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=4200&SPID=1845&SPSID=22726