College men’s basketball: Duke gets past Vermont, will play on Sunday
Published 9:47 pm Friday, March 22, 2024
- Duke forward Mark Mitchell dunks against Vermont during the second half of a first-round college basketball game in the men's NCAA Tournament, Friday, March 22, 2024, in New York. Duke won 64-47. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
By MIKE FITZPATRICK AP Sports Writer
NEW YORK — Jared McCain and Mark Mitchell each had 15 points, and No. 4 seed Duke opened the NCAA Tournament with an uneven performance before finally pulling away from 13th-seeded Vermont for a 64-47 victory Friday night.
Jeremy Roach scored 14 for the Blue Devils (25-8), who were able to advance without much offensive production from star center Kyle Filipowski. The sophomore took only one shot and scored a career-low three points, though he did grab 12 rebounds.
Seeking its sixth national championship, Duke will face No. 5 seed Wisconsin or 12th-seeded James Madison in a South Region second-round game Sunday in Brooklyn.
Shamir Bogues had 18 points for Vermont (28-7), playing in its third consecutive NCAA Tournament as America East champions. Aaron Deloney added 14 for the Catamounts, who had won 10 straight games.