Duke cruises past Georgia Southern, into 2K Sports semifinals

Singler Leads Duke Past Georgia So. 97-54

DURHAM, N.C. - Kyle Singler recorded 19 points for the second straight game and added eight rebounds as No. 8 Duke defeated Georgia Southern, 97-54, in the second round of the 2008 2K Sports Classic Benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer Tuesday night at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Singler added eight rebounds in just 22 minutes of action and earned MVP of the Durham Regional of the tournament for his efforts. He opened the 2008-09 season with a 19-point, 10-rebound effort vs. Presbyterian Monday.

Duke led 52-25 at the half. Nolan Smith scored 13 points with a pair of steals while Gerald Henderson and Greg Paulus each scored 11 points. Jon Scheyer scored 8 points and had a game-high 7 assists while freshman Elliot Williams pulled down 11 rebounds off the bench in just 14 minutes of second-half action.

The Blue Devils did struggle from the line, hitting just 25-of-49 free throw attempts.

Duke next hosts Rhode Island Sunday at Cameron Indoor Stadium with tipoff set for 4:30 p.m. on ESPNU. Duke will then return to action in the 2K Classic and will face the winner of UMass or Southern Illinois. The Minutemen defeated Arkansas-Monticello, 90-71, while the Saluki's defeated California (Pa.), 66-52. UMass and Southern Illinios will square off Wednesday