The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

A DOMINANT performance by the Duke starters, led by seniors Mason Plumlee and Seth Curry, helped the fifth ranked Blue Devils roll by Minnesota in game two of the Battle 4 Atlantis.

Curry continued his hot start to the season with 25 points while Plumlee finished with 20 points and 17 rebounds.

Quinn Cook added 17 points and four assists, Ryan Kelly finished with 14 points, six rebounds and three blocks, while freshman Rasheed Sulaimon chipped in with 11.

The Blue Devils shot 54 per cent from the field, 80 per cent from both the three point line and the free throw line.

Plumlee already had a double doubl by the end of the first half and the Blue Devils opened 5-7 from beyond the arch.

Duke led by as much as 11 in the first half and Cook’s buzzer beating three-pointer gave his team a 40-33 lead heading into intermission.

Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski said his team performed well under the lights of the Imperial Arena.

“It was definitely hot out there and that’s something we will have to watch as the tournament goes on, keeping guys hydrated,” said Krzyzewski. “These guys prepare to play 40 minutes, so they never want to come off the floor. It goes back to the work they put into the offseason.”

Rodney Williams led four Golden Gophers in double figures with 16 points and seven rebounds.

Andre Hollins finished with 12 points, Trevor Mbakwe came off the bench with 11 and Maverick Ahanmisi added 10.