Duke edges Seton Hall in Maui Invitational
By Jim O'Connell
Associated Press
LAHAINA, Maui — April in Minneapolis was a long way from November in Maui.
Associated Press
Top-ranked Duke opened defense of the national championship it won seven months ago in a much different climate with an 80-79 victory over Seton Hall in the opening round of the Maui Invitational.
Ball State's Patrick Jackson, bottom center, is mobbed by teammates after the Cardinals shocked No. 4 Kansas, 93-91, in the Maui Invitational.
In a game that wasn't decided until Jason Williams stole the ball as the buzzer sounded, the Blue Devils avoided being the second major upset in as many games in the Lahaina Civic Center.
"Right now there is nothing comparable about this team and last year's and we don't worry about that," Duke junior guard Mike Dunleavy said of the team that lost national player of the year Shane Battier. "We got there last year through six, seven months of hard work and right now everyone can tell we have a few things to work on."
At least the Blue Devils moved on to today's semifinals against South Carolina, which beat Chaminade, 74-61.
Earlier yesterday, Ball State beat No. 4 Kansas, 93-91.
"Not a bad first day, huh?" Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said.
It was a lot better for him after Williams made one of two free throws with 7.1 seconds to play, then stole the ball as the buzzer sounded.
Williams scored 21 of his 27 points in the second half, and Dunleavy had 22 points.
Seton Hall (1-1) led by 10 points late in the first half.
No. 3 UCLA beat Houston, 71-60.
