Top Ranked Duke Takes On Third Ranked Gonzaga In The Maui Jim Maui Invitational Championship
On Wednesday top ranked Duke out of the Atlantic Coast Conference will take on Gonzaga who is ranked third out of the West Coast Conference for the right to hoist the Maui Jim Maui Invitational trophy.
Duke comes into the game with a record of 5-0 while Gonzaga also comes into the game with a record of 5-0.
As for how Duke got to the championship game they topped Auburn in the semifinals.
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
As for how Gonzaga got to the championship game, Gonzaga downed Arizona.
Rui Hachimura scored 24 points, Zach Norvell Jr. added 20 and No. 3 Gonzaga earned a spot in the Maui Invitational title game with a 91-74 win over Arizona Tuesday night. “according to https://gozags.com/news/2018/11/21/mens-basketball-no-3-gonzaga-knocks-off-arizona-91-74-in-maui.aspx
Gonzaga (5-0) was out of synch late in the first half after a good start, falling into an eight-point hole. “according to https://gozags.com/news/2018/11/21/mens-basketball-no-3-gonzaga-knocks-off-arizona-91-74-in-maui.aspx
The Zags turned the Lahaina Civic Center into The Kennel West early in the second, the cheers growing louder with each basket during a 15-2 run that put them up 56-53. “according to https://gozags.com/news/2018/11/21/mens-basketball-no-3-gonzaga-knocks-off-arizona-91-74-in-maui.aspx
Two-time Maui champion Arizona (4-1) fought back to keep it close, but only for a little while. Gonzaga went on another run, pushing the lead 79-67 and kept the Wildcats at bay from there. “according to https://gozags.com/news/2018/11/21/mens-basketball-no-3-gonzaga-knocks-off-arizona-91-74-in-maui.aspx
Justin Coleman had 28 points for Arizona, which had three assists on 21 made field goals. “according to https://gozags.com/news/2018/11/21/mens-basketball-no-3-gonzaga-knocks-off-arizona-91-74-in-maui.aspx
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