NCAA hoops: No. 1 seed Duke rolls in tournament opener, 73-44 over Ark.-Pine Bluff
By FRED GOODALL
AP Sports Writer
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Kyle Singler had 22 points and 10 rebounds, Jon Scheyer scored 13 and No. 1 seed Duke rolled past Arkansas-Pine Bluff 73-44 Friday night in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Lance Thomas chipped in 12 points and Nolan Smith added 10 as the Blue Devils began their quest for a fourth national championship in dominating fashion.
Duke (30-5) jumped out to an early lead, never trailed and reached 30 wins for the 11th time under coach Mike Krzyzewski.
The Blue Devils will play Louisville or California in the second round Sunday.
The Golden Lions (18-16), who beat Winthrop 61-44 in the tournament opener three days earlier, turned in a respectable defensive performance. But they struggled to score against Duke’s bigger, more physical frontcourt.
Tavaris Washington led Pine Bluff with nine points. Terrance Calvin, Allen Smith and Lebaron Weathers had seven each.