Josh McRoberts soars past Boston University's Kevin Gardner for a first-half layup as Duke won its season opener.
By Associated Press
Published November 15, 2005
DURHAM, N.C. - Failing to make a 3-pointer hardly bothered Duke guard J.J. Redick.
Those two missed free throws? That's another matter.
"That's something in the fall, I've missed a couple, too," the NCAA's career leader in free-throw percentage said. "I'm going to have to put in some extra work."
The rest of his game sure looked good.
Redick scored 19 and Shelden Williams 17 to help the top-ranked Blue Devils hold off pesky Boston University 64-47 Monday night in the first round of the Preseason NIT.
The Terriers took an early lead and held it for nearly 12 minutes, patiently running time off the shot clock on nearly every possession to shorten the game. Duke averaged 112.5 points in two preseason games but struggled throughout in the opener for both.
"This was a real game," coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "This type of game will make us better. I didn't yell at my team once tonight, not once. It wasn't a lack of effort. It just didn't always work."
Still, Krzyzewski improved to 24-2 in openers since he arrived in Durham, and the Blue Devils advanced to the second round to meet Seton Hall. They are looking for their third title in the annual preseason tournament after winning in 1985 and 2000.
NO.8 KENTUCKY 67, LIPSCOMB 49: Rajon Rondo scored a career-high 19 for the host Wildcats in the second round of the Guardians Classic. A 23-9 run during the final 10 minutes finally allowed Kentucky to put away the Bisons and advance to the tournament semifinals Monday in Kansas City, Mo.
NO.20 IOWA 86, MD.-EASTERN SHORE 41: Jeff Horner and Greg Brunner each scored 16 to lead the host Hawkeyes in the first round of the Guardians Classic. Iowa, which never trailed and shot 51 percent, faces Colgate tonight.
N'WESTERN 61, CHARLOTTE 47: Vedran Vukusic scored 28 to lift the Wildcats in the Black Coaches Association Classic in Laramie, Wyo.
SAM HOUSTON ST. 80, MISSOURI 77: Ryan Bright hit two 3-pointers late in the second half and finished with 28 points for the visiting Bearkats in the opening round of the Preseason NIT. Sam Houston State faces Drexel in the second round.
SETON HALL 66, MANHATTAN 52: Kelly Whitney scored 25 and Jamar Nutter added 17 to lead the host Pirates in the Preseason NIT. An 11-3 spurt to open the second half gave Seton Hall a 41-25 lead.
WASH. 87, WIS.-GREEN BAY 54: Bobby Jones scored 17, seven during a decisive 13-0 run eight minutes into the game, as the host Huskies coasted in the semifinals of the Black Coaches Association Classic.
AP POLL: Only four teams in the preseason Top 25 played the first week and went a combined 7-0, so there were very few changes in the Associated Press poll. Fifteen ranked teams will compete in four tournaments over the next 11 days, and that should cause plenty of movement. Duke was again the runaway No.1, receiving 62 first-place votes and 1,788 points. Texas again was No.1 on six ballots.
Women
NO.9 UCONN 86, INDIANA ST. 43: Ann Strother scored 19 and Charde Houston 18 as the host Huskies cruised to the NIT semifinals. Connecticut dominated inside and out to put the game away early. UConn plays former Big East rival Boston College on Thursday.
VAN CRASH: A van returning the Montana State University-Northern team from Oregon to Havre crashed, injuring at least four players. None sustained life-threatening injuries, school officials said.
