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Undefeated Duke eeks out home win over Rhode Island

Guglio posted 11/17/2008 from ballhype.com

Undefeated Duke won its third game of the season on Sunday, November 16.  It defeated the University of Rhode Island, 82-79 in a close game which Rhode Island led by one point at the half, 34-33.

The game was nip and tuch throughout.  During the second half, Rhode Island out shot Duke from field goal range, 59.3 percent (16/27) to 58.6 percent 17/29).  They out shot Duke from three-point range in the second half 77.8 percent (7/9) to 20.0 percent (2/10), and they also out shot them from the free throw line 100 percent (6/6) to 81.3 percent (13/16). 

How did a team ahead by one point at the half outperform their host team in every shooting category during the second half and still lose?  Simple, the refs handed the ball to the home team 16 times at the free throw line in the second half and handed the ball to Rhode Island just six times in the same half.

Rhode Island's Senior guard, Jimmy Baron, made eight of ten three point attempted en route to a 24-point performance. URI's front court also performed well.  Rhode Island out rebounded Duke 31 to 29.  Junior forward, Delroy James, had 21 points and 8 rebounds. 

Jon Scheyer led Duke with 23 points, 13 from the free throw line.  Forward Kyle Singler scored 21 oints and snagged 5 rebounds. 

Duke's next game is against Soutern Illinois at the 2K Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden, Thursday, November 20.  Rhode Island next plays Monmouth, NJ, November 20.