UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Duke may lose its No. 1 ranking to Kentucky on Monday, but the Blue Devils won a non-conference championship on Sunday.
The Blue Devils had little trouble dispatching No. 21 Rhode Island, 75-65, in the championship game of the Hall of Fame Tip-Off at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Despite getting only 10 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists from National Player of the Year candidate Grayson Allen, who is bothered by a foot injury, Duke got strong performances from Luke Kennard (24 points), Amile Jefferson (17 points, 15 rebounds) and Matt Jones (13 points). Frank Jackson added 10 points.
Chase Jeter came off the bench after injuring his left ankle in Saturday’s semifinal win over Penn State, but failed to score and grabbed just one rebound.
Duke (4-1) continued to play without injured freshmen stars Jayson Tatum, Harry Giles and Marques Bolden.
Rhode Island (4-1) could not muster the type of second-half fight it brought on Saturday when it came from 12 down to upend No. 24 Cincinnati, 76-71.
One day after leaving the court in a neckbrace and on a stretcher, junior point guard Jarvis Garrett started for the Rams and finished with 4 points and 6 assists.
Jared Terrell led the Rams with 22 points and Hassan Martin added 15 points and 6 boards.
The All-Tournament Team featured Duke’s Jefferson and Kennard;
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