Parker lifts Duke over UCLA
Freshman Jabari Parker has 23 points and 10 rebounds to lift the Blue Devils over the Bruins.
IT WAS AN average performance from Jabari Parker, but it drew praise from the Duke freshman's coach.
"He's a natural," coach Mike Krzyzewski said after Parker had 23 points and 10 rebounds in the No. 8 Blue Devils' 80-63 victory over UCLA last night at Madison Square Garden in New York. "In different sports there are people who are naturals. Jabari is a natural. He can become even better. He embraces the moment."
Duke (9-2) poked and prodded UCLA's 2-3 zone from the perimeter, making 11 three-pointers in a season-high 32 attempts from beyond the arc. Parker went 4-for-8 from long range, while going over 20 points for the ninth time in his 11 college games.
Rodney Hood and Quinn Cook both had 14 points for the Blue Devils.
David Wear led the Bruins (9-2) with 16 points and Kyle Anderson had 15 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. He entered the game averaging 13.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6.7 assists.
In another Top 25 game
* At Arizona, Aaron Gordon scored 21 points, Nick Johnson added 17 and the No. 1 Wildcats (12-0) routed Southern, 69-43.
Noteworthy
* Indianapolis philanthropist Cindy Simon Skjodt has donated $40 million to Indiana University to renovate Assembly Hall, the largest donation in university athletics history. Improvements to the 42-year-old arena, which will be renamed Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, will include revenue-generating box seats, a new south entryway, a state-of-the-art video scoreboard, escalators and remodeled restrooms and concession stands.