Skal Labissiere leads No. 2 Kentucky past NJIT, 87-57

Skal Labissiere scored 26 points, Isaiah Briscoe had a double-double and No. 2 Kentucky ran away from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, 87-57, on Saturday for its second win in as many nights.

Seeking a strong tuneup with Tuesday night’s showdown looming against defending national champion and fifth-ranked Duke, the Wildcats (2-0) succeeded behind a dominant effort by their 6-foot-11 freshman. Labissiere made 10 of 12 from the field and all six free throws to nearly triple his scoring from the previous night against Albany.

After missing the opener because of a bruised knee, Briscoe, another freshman, debuted with a team-high 12 rebounds along with 11 points. Derek Willis added 11 points and Marcus Lee had 10 as Kentucky won the first meeting between the schools.

NJIT (0-1) led twice early before being overwhelmed by the taller Wildcats, who dominated the boards, 54-23, and held the Highlanders to 31% shooting.

Damon Lynn scored 19 points, Ky Howard added 13 and Tim Coleman had 10 for the Highlanders.

No. 5 Duke 113, Bryant 75: Grayson Allen had a career-high 28 points, Matt Jones scored all of his career-best 19 in the first half, and the Blue Devils routed the Bulldogs in the 2K Classic at Durham, N.C.

Freshman Brandon Ingram had 21 points to help the Duke (2-0) earn its second lopsided win in as many nights.

Amile Jefferson had 11 points and 11 rebounds in his second straight double-double, and freshman Luke Kennard added 11 points for the reigning national champions.

No. 24 Butler 144, the Citadel 71: Kellen Dunham scored 24 points and Butler broke four school records in a trouncing of the Citadel.

The 144 points shattered the previous record of 115 in a regulation win over DePauw in 1965. Trey Pettus’ three-pointer gave the Bulldogs a record 129 points for any game with under 6 minutes to play in the second half.

Dunham scored 22 of his 24 points before halftime when Butler broke two other school records for points scored in the first half and points scored in any half. Butler led The Citadel, 71-41, at halftime, crushing the previous record of 63 points in any half and 61 in the first half.