Grayson Allen, Jayson Tatum lead Duke past Troy

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Grayson Allen scored 21 points and Jayson Tatum racked up 18 as early outside shooting carried Duke past Troy 87-65 in an NCAA Tournament first-round game Friday night at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Matt Jones and Frank Jackson added 14 points each for second-seeded Duke (28-8), which has won five games in a row since ending the regular season with losses in three of four games. Tatum also had 12 rebounds.

Duke's second-round opponent Sunday will be the winner of the Marquette-South Carolina game.

Five Duke players sank at least one 3-point shot, led by Allen, who was 5 for 9. The Blue Devils made only three long balls in the second half.

Jordon Varnado's 18 points, Wesley Person's 15 points and Alex Hicks' 14 points paced No. 15 seed Troy (22-15), which was the surprise tournament champion in the Sun Belt Conference.

The Trojans were 5 for 23 from 3-point range.

The Blue Devils led 52-38 at halftime.

Duke hit four 3-point baskets in barely more than 4 1/2 minutes to open a 16-4 lead.

Troy was hanging around at 38-30 before an Allen 3-pointer and Tatum dunk in transition regained momentum for Duke.

That didn't last long because the Trojans scored the next six points.

The Blue Devils shot 10 for 17 on 3-pointers in the first half.

Seldom-used Duke center Antonio Vrankovic scored on a tip-in late in the first half for his first points since late January at Wake Forest.

NOTES: The teams had never previously met. ... Both teams needed a 4-0 mark in their conference tournaments to gain automatic NCAA bids. ... This was an East Regional game. ... Dukeholds a top-three regional seed for an NCAA-best 28th time since 1985. ... Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski added to his record total of NCAA Tournament victories, now at 91. ... This was Troy's second time in the NCAA Tournament, the other in 2003 resulting in a loss to Xavier. ... Troy's 13-win improvement from last season marks the best turnaround in 29 years for the Trojans. ...Dukewon two games in this building in the 2002 NCAA Tournament, but lost here last season when ACC member Clemson was using the facility as a temporary home.