Category: NCAA Basketball

Nate Johnson scored 18 points to help Akron fend off Central Michigan 85-82 on Saturday night, upping the Zips' win streak to 13. Johnson also had seven rebounds and three steals for the Zips (20-5, 12-0 Mid-American Conference). Amani Lyles added 14 points and Shammah Scott scored 13.

TK Simpkins put up 32 points as Elon beat UNC Wilmington 81-70 on Saturday night. Simpkins shot 11 for 15, including 8 for 10 from beyond the arc for the Phoenix (16-11, 7-7 Coastal Athletic Association). TJ Simpkins shot 3 of 6 from the field, including 2 for 4 from 3-point range, and went 5 for 6 from the free-throw line to add 13 points.

Tyler Lundblade's 19 points helped Belmont defeat Southern Illinois 73-68 on Saturday night. Lundblade shot 6 for 11, including 6 for 8 from beyond the arc for the Bruins (18-9, 10-6 Missouri Valley Conference). Carter Whitt scored 17 points while shooting 6 for 16 (2 for 6 from 3-point range) and 3 of 5 from the free-throw line.

Honor Huff's 19 points helped Chattanooga defeat East Tennessee State 78-71 on Saturday night. Huff shot 5 for 8 from beyond the arc and 4 of 6 from the free-throw line for the Mocs (19-8, 11-3 Southern Conference). Trey Bonham scored 18 points, shooting 6 for 13, including 6 for 10 from beyond the arc.

Sterling Young finished with 28 points to lead Florida A&M to a 76-71 victory over Jackson State on Saturday night. Young shot 8 for 14 (2 for 5 from 3-point range) and 10 of 10 from the free-throw line for the Rattlers (11-12, 8-4 Southwestern Athletic Conference). Milton Matthews totaled 15 points and five rebounds.

Keaston Willis had 19 points in Tulsa's 80-76 win against UTSA on Saturday night. Willis shot 3 of 8 from the field, including 2 for 7 from 3-point range, and went 11 for 13 from the line for the Golden Hurricane (11-15, 5-8 American Athletic Conference). Isaiah Barnes added 18 points while going 7 of 10 (3 for 5 from 3-point range) and also had eight rebounds.

Cesare Edwards scored 24 points to help Georgia State defeat Appalachian State 70-65 on Saturday. Edwards also had nine rebounds and three blocks for the Panthers (12-15, 7-7 Sun Belt Conference). Malachi Brown scored 11 points, shooting 3 for 7 (2 for 3 from 3-point range) and 3 of 3 from the free-throw line.

It was almost as brutal of a defeat as this West Virginia team has faced this season, falling to Baylor 74-71 in overtime on Saturday. WVU head coach Darian DeVries was direct after the game. WVU was out-shot 27-17 at the free throw line, including 12-4 in overtime as all of Baylor's points came at the foul line (nine).

Mekhi Mason hit 6 of his 11 3-point attempts and scored 20 points and DJ Davis knocked down a 3 with just under a minute left and Washington held off Penn State to earn a 75-73 win on Saturday in the first meeting between the programs. The Huskies (13-12, 4-10 Big Ten) have won three of their last five games. Penn State (13-13, 3-11) lost its seventh straight.

Jayden Taylor scored 19 points, Brandon Huntley-Hatfield added 11 and N.C. State defeated Boston College 70-62 on Saturday to snap a nine-game losing streak. The Wolfpack (10-15, 3-11) climbed out of a tie for last place in the Atlantic Coast Conference, leaving Boston College (10-15, 2-12) tied with Miami at the bottom. The Eagles have lost four straight and 10 of 11.

Kezza Giffa had 16 points in High Point's 88-66 win against Winthrop on Saturday. Giffa added five assists for the Panthers (23-5, 11-2 Big South Conference). D'Maurian Williams scored 15 points while shooting 4 of 9 from the field and 5 for 5 from the line.

West Virginia entered Saturday as losers of five of their last seven, mostly due to their inability to play a full 40 minutes and finish close games. Despite trailing for the majority of the game, the Mountaineers were able to send the game to overtime against Baylor on Saturday. West Virginia gave it their all but ultimately came up short in the extra period, falling to Baylor 74-71 as the Bears scored nine points, all coming at the free throw line, while WVU went 2-for-9 from the field, in the overtime session.

Isaac McKneely scored 22 points and reserve Anthony Robinson scored 15 points and Virginia held off Virginia Tech 73-70 on Saturday. Dai Dai Ames added 11 points for Virginia (13-12, 6-8 ACC). It was Virginia's first win in Blacksburg since 2020.

Milos Uzan scored 19 points, L.J. Cryer added 15 and No. 6 Houston took firm control of the Big 12 Conference race with a 62-58 win over No. 13 Arizona on Saturday. Coming off a 76-65 win at Baylor, the Cougars (21-4, 13-1 Big 12) trailed by seven midway through the second half, then held the Wildcats without a field goal for more than six minutes to go up seven. The Wildcats (17-8, 11-3) fought back to close within 59-58 with a minute left, but Houston hit 3 of 4 closing free throws to win for the 17th time in 18 games.

Deywilk Tavarez's 20 points off of the bench led Charleston to a 69-59 victory over N.C. A&T on Saturday. Tavarez shot 4 of 8 from the field, including 4 for 7 from 3-point range, and went 8 for 12 from the line for the Cougars (20-7, 10-4 Coastal Athletic Association). AJ Smith scored 18 points, shooting 7 for 13 (1 for 4 from 3-point range) and 3 of 5 from the free-throw line.