Rematch a Mismatch as Arizona Rolls

This time, it wasn’t even close.

In a rematch of last year’s national championship game, top-ranked Arizona, which had to go overtime to win the title last season, toyed with No. 8 Kentucky in registering an 89-74 victory Tuesday night in the semifinals of the Maui Invitational at Lahaina.

Arizona (3-0) will face No. 3 Duke in the championship game tonight.

Arizona had its top eight players back from the championship team, while Kentucky, which was trying to repeat as NCAA champions last March, had two starters back and a new coach as Tubby Smith replaced Rick Pitino, who left for the Celtics.

This time, Arizona didn’t waste time taking control. After two early ties, the last at 4-4, the Wildcats went on a 10-point run with Mike Bibby finishing it with a thunderous dunk.

During the stretch, he scored seven points and by halftime, he had 15. Bibby finished with 20 points, eight assists and had four of Arizona’s 11 steals.

“Kentucky did a good job of coming after us and we responded,” Arizona Coach Lute Olson said. “The key was the cushion we got from the good start.

“[Bibby’s] steals and dunks got me excited. That did it.”

The margin was 35-15 before Kentucky (2-1) made a mild run, thanks to some poor free throw shooting by Arizona.

No. 3 Duke 82, Missouri 59--Eight Blue Devils scored between 16 and eight points in the other Maui Invitational semifinal.

But Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski wanted to talk about defensive numbers.

“Our halfcourt defense was really ready,” he said. “Our goal was to take away the three-point attempts.” Then he added, “And we can make steals this year.”

Duke blocked eight shots and had 15 steals. Freshman Chris Burgess, from Irvine’s Woodbridge High, had three blocks and Mike Chappell had five steals.

On the offensive end, Trajan Langdon scored 16 points to lead the Blue Devils (4-0).

Elton Brand added 14 points for Duke, while Chappell had 13 and Shane Battier 12.

Kelly Thames led Missouri (2-1) with 15 points and nine rebounds.

No. 22 Georgia 96, Georgia Southern 74--The Bulldogs broke open a close game with a defense-generated 11-0 run in the second half at Athens, Ga.

“It took us a half to get into our style of play,” Coach Ron Jirsa said. “But once we got them spread out, we were able to penetrate and get some opportunities to score. And once we got some baskets, we were able to get into our press.”

Georgia (4-1) trailed, 38-37, after Cedric McGinnis’ basket for the Eagles (2-2) in the opening minute of the second half. But the Bulldogs turned up the full-court pressure and Southern was unable to cope.

Ray Harrison led the Bulldogs with 24 points, while Jumaine Jones, a freshman, and G.G. Smith added 17 apiece. Harrison and Smith each made four three-point shots for Georgia, which shot 54.4% from the field.

No. 24 Maryland 117, Florida International 70--The box score said it all: five players in double figures and 25 assists.

Maryland used all its weapons and the result was a blowout for the Terrapins at College Park, Md.

Rodney Elliott scored 20 points, Obinna Ekezie had 18 and Laron Profit added 15 as Maryland (3-1) rolled to its 55th consecutive nonconference home victory since December 1989.

“The key thing we’re doing is being unselfish,” Coach Gary Williams said. “It’s tough to cover us when you’re willing to give the ball up to the open man downcourt. We’re passing well and we will continue to get better as long as this continues.”

Profit’s string of three consecutive 20-point games ended, but he made six of 10 shots and was delighted with his team-high four assists.

“I’m proud of the way we’re playing right now,” he said. “Even when a guy hits a shot, he might turn to someone and say, ‘You were open. Sorry I missed you.’ ”

Maryland forced the Golden Panthers (1-1) to miss 24 of 31 shots while building a 53-26 halftime lead.

The Terrapins have won three consecutive home games against overmatched teams, but they next play at No. 13 Clemson next Tuesday.