LAHAINA, Hawaii, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Mike Dunleavy Jr. scored 22 first-half points against his father's alma mater and top-ranked Duke closed the opening period with a 19-point run Tuesday to defeat the South Carolina Gamecocks, 81-56, and advance to the title game of the Maui Invitational.
The younger Dunleavy, a 6-9 junior guard, ignited the game's key burst by draining a 3-pointer with just under five minutes to go before the break and Duke (2-0) held South Carolina (1-1) scoreless for the final 5:14 of the first half.
Leading 44-25 at intermission, the Blue Devils did not allow the Gamecocks closer than 15 points over the final 20 minutes and will take on either fourth-ranked UCLA or Ball State in Wednesday's championship contest.
Dunleavy Sr., former coach of the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers, attended South Carolina from 1973-76 but never played against Duke because the Gamecocks left the Atlantic Coast Conference following the 1970-71 season.
His son, who played a key role in Duke's national title game victory over Arizona last season, finished with a career high-tying 24 points and almost singlehandedly put this game out of reach.
After a follow shot by Carlos Boozer gave Duke a five-point lead, Dunleavy connected on a 3-pointer from the left wing that pushed the advantage to 33-25 with 4:08 to play in the first half.
Following a stoppage, Dunleavy connected on another jumper and went 3-of-4 from the foul line in the final 94 seconds of the half as the lead ballooned to a commanding 19 points.
