Duke tops UNC Wilmington in First Round, 93-85

Duke guard Brandon Ingram, center, drives to the basket past North Carolina-Wilmington guard Chris Flemmings (1) during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college men's basketball tournament in Providence, R.I., Thursday, March 17, 2016. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Duke guard Brandon Ingram (14) and center Marshall Plumlee (40) double team North Carolina-Wilmington center C.J. Gettys (23) and block his drive to the basket in the first half during the first round of the NCAA college men's basketball tournament in Providence, R.I., Thursday, March 17, 2016. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

North Carolina-Wilmington guard Jordon Talley, right, is trapped by Duke guard Grayson Allen (3) and forward Chase Jeter (2) in the first half during the first round of the NCAA college men's basketball tournament in Providence, R.I., Thursday, March 17, 2016. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski flashes a thumbs up against North Carolina-Wilmington in the first half during the first round of the NCAA college men's basketball tournament in Providence, R.I., Thursday, March 17, 2016. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

North Carolina-Wilmington head coach Kevin Keatts gestures against Duke in the first half iin the first round of the NCAA college men's basketball tournament in Providence, R.I., Thursday, March 17, 2016. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

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By JOHN KEKIS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

March 17, 2016 - 11:12 am

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Marshall Plumlee ditched the mask guarding his broken nose and responded by scoring a career-high 23 points to lead defending national champion Duke past UNC Wilmington 93-85 on Thursday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Plumlee had 10 of his points and two blocks as the Blue Devils stepped up the defensive pressure early in the second half to build a lead after trailing at the break.

Duke (24-10), seeded fourth in the West, will next play Yale or Baylor. UNCW (25-8), seeded 13th, was in it until the closing moments after Plumlee and Matt Jones fouled out.

Grayson Allen also scored 23 points for the Blue Devils, but 15 came from the foul line as he shot just 4 of 12 from the field. Brandon Ingram added 20.

Craig Ponder led UNCW with 22 points. Chris Flemmings had 18, Denzel Ingram 17 and C.J. Bryce 16.

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