Rivers' defense holds back Shaw Bears

DURHAM, North Carolina -- One of Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski's biggest tasks this season is to get talented freshman guard Austin Rivers to play as well on defense as he does on offense. The Blue Devils looked shaky at times Wednesday night in an 80-66 exhibition defeat of Shaw University at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Talented Shaw guards Tony Smith and Malik Alvin drove the lane and created plays almost at will at times in the first half, when the Bears shot 50 percent from the field. But over the first nine minutes of the second half, Shaw was held to nine points. Smith managed three of his 13 points in the half, and the defense of Rivers - the preseason ACC Rookie of the Year according to the media who cover the conference - was a big reason for that.

"I thought Austin really played Smith well in that second half," Krzyzewski said. "I think Smith's good, really good. "And Austin for a freshman, in wanting to play defense - he's known as this great scorer - I thought it was a really big half for Austin."



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