Category: NCAA Basketball

On a day the Bruins celebrated the late Bill Walton, big men contributed to the victory over the Buckeyes on Sunday at Pauley Pavilion.

Allen David Mukeba Jr.'s 22 points helped Oakland defeat Cleveland State 91-86 in overtime on Sunday night. Mukeba added 12 rebounds for the Golden Grizzlies (13-16, 10-8 Horizon League). Jayson Woodrich scored 20 points, shooting 7 for 13, including 6 for 12 from beyond the arc.

Mike Woodson arrived Sunday at Assembly Hall ready to honor his mentor, the late Bob Knight, once more. Then Woodson added yet another twist to a question that has mystified Indiana fans for 40 years — where is the chair Knight tossed across the court in anger on Feb. 23, 1985? "You realize that is ‘the chair,'” Woodson said after Indiana's 73-58 victory.

Ryan Conwell scored 22 points as Xavier beat Seton Hall 73-66 on Sunday. Conwell shot 5 for 7 (4 for 6 from 3-point range) and 8 of 8 from the free-throw line for the Musketeers (18-10, 10-7 Big East Conference). Dante Maddox Jr. scored 12 points while going 2 of 2 and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line and added three steals.

JuJu Watkins and Kiki Iriafen scored 22 points each and No. 4 Southern California defeated 25th-ranked Illinois 76-66 on Sunday to retain sole possession of first place in the Big Ten. The Trojans (25-2, 15-1) needed their eighth win over a ranked team to avoid falling into a tie with No. 3 UCLA, which edged Iowa on the road to stay in second at 14-1. USC got 12 points and 13 rebounds from Rayah Marshall as the Trojans finished 14-1 at Galen Center after their home finale.

Arizona State's leading scorer BJ Freeman is no longer with the program because of conduct detrimental to the team, a team spokesman confirmed on Sunday. The dismissal follows a turbulent stretch for Freeman, who was ejected in games against Colorado and Arizona during conference play. The Arizona Republic first reported Freeman’s dismissal.

Josh Pascarelli scored 22 points as Marist beat Niagara 64-61 on Sunday. Pascarelli went 9 of 18 from the field (3 for 6 from 3-point range) for the Red Foxes (20-5, 13-3 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference). Elijah Lewis added 12 points while going 4 of 8 and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line and had eight rebounds.

Joran Riley scored 17 points while going 6 of 11 and 5 of 8 from the free-throw line and added eight rebounds and three steals. Hayes shot 4 for 12 (0 for 3 from 3-point range) and 8 of 8 from the free-throw line to finish with 16 points, while adding three steals. Primo Spears led the Roadrunners (10-17, 4-11) in scoring, finishing with 24 points, seven assists and three steals.

Austin Benigni scored 26 points, six overtime, as Navy defeated Holy Cross 83-77 on Sunday. Benigni shot 7 of 18 from the field, including 2 for 6 from 3-point range, and went 10 for 14 from the line for the Midshipmen (11-18, 8-8 Patriot League). Jordan Pennick scored 23 points while shooting 9 for 17, including 3 for 7 from beyond the arc.

Amarri Monroe scored 20 points as Quinnipiac beat Manhattan 74-71 on Sunday. Monroe added 16 rebounds for the Bobcats (17-10, 13-3 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference). Khaden Bennett scored 18 points while shooting 6 for 10, including 4 for 6 from beyond the arc and added four steals.

Grace VanSlooten scored 17 points to help spark No. 22 Michigan State to a 73-65 win over Indiana to snap a two-game loss streak on Sunday. The Spartans (20-7, 10-6 Big Ten) bounced back after falling by six at No. 1 UCLA and eight at No. 4 USC. Indiana (17-10, 9-7) came into the game after upsetting No. 8 Ohio State at home.

Malik Reneau and Trey Galloway each scored 15 points, while the Hoosiers allowed just 21 points in the second half.

Bryce Eaton scored 27 points as Saint Peter's beat Sacred Heart 85-79 on Sunday. Eaton shot 8 for 11 (4 for 5 from 3-point range) and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line for the Peacocks (10-14, 5-11 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference). Armoni Zeigler added 20 points while going 8 of 15 and 3 of 3 from the free-throw line while they also had 13 rebounds.

Corey Washington scored 19 points while going 7 of 11 and 5 of 7 from the free-throw line and added eight rebounds. Quincy Ballard finished 5 of 7 from the floor to finish with 11 points, while adding nine rebounds. The Shockers picked up their sixth straight victory.

St. John's improved to 17-0 at home this year and matched its record for conference wins as it stares down the Big East regular-season title.