No. 3 Gonzaga beats top-ranked Duke to take Maui title

Gonzaga found itself in the same position as Duke’s first five opponents: appearing helpless as the Blue Devils and their rim-rattling freshmen ran past and flew over them.

The Zags never panicked, never looked up in awe at the bouncy Blue Devils. They have too much experience to get rattled, even against college basketball’s most talkedabout team.

Playing with poise and grit down the stretch, No. 3 Gon- zaga turned back top-ranked Duke’s late-game charge to win the Maui Invitational title game 89-97 on Wednesday in Lahaina, Hawaii.

“Experience plays a big role in this,” said Gonzaga guard Zach Norvell Jr., who had 18 points. “We came down the stretch and got some stops. We knew we were winning it on the defensive end.”

Gonzaga (6-0) put on an offensive show in the first half and battened down on defense after Duke (5-1) made a second-half charge, blocking four shots in the final 46 seconds to win its second Maui title.

“They were just dictating the flow,” Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “I mean we were not playing good defense, but they were playing great offense.”

Rui Hachimura scored 20 points and the Zags beat a No. 1 team for the first time while ending the Blue Devils’ unbeaten streak on the Valley Isle (17-1).

Dubbed a Final Four contender when Killie Tillie re- turns, Gonzaga already looks like one.

“The lights were on us tonight and we played good, which you have to against Duke,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. “You have to pretty much play great. I thought we played great.”

Kentucky 87, Winthrop 74

In Lexington, Ky., PJ Washington had 19 points and 11 rebounds, and No. 10 Kentucky shot 56 percent to run away from Winthrop 87-74.

Kansas 77, Marquette 68

Dedric Lawson had 26 points and 12 rebounds to lead No. 2 Kansas over Marquette in the second semifinal of the NIT Season Tip-Off at Barclays Center. No. 5 Tennessee beat Louisville, 92-81, in the first semifinal.

Creighton 87, Clemson 82

In George Town, Cayman Islands, sophomore Ty-Shon Alexander made seven 3pointers and scored a career- high 36 points to lead Creighton past No. 16 Clemson in the championship game of Cayman Islands Classic.

Iona 80, Hartford 75

In Las Vegas, E.J. Crawford scored a season-high 19 points and Iona beat Hartford in a MGM Resorts Main Event consolation.

Hofstra 80, Cal St. Fullerton 71

In Hempstead, Justin WrightForeman scored 37 points with six assists and Hofstra beat Cal State Fullerton.