Josh Hubbard’s two foul shots with 56.5 seconds left in overtime rescued No. 14 Mississippi State for a 65-60 victory over South Carolina after blowing a 14-point lead in the last nine minutes of regulation on Saturday. The Bulldogs (16-4, 4-3 Southeastern Conference) held a 50-36 lead with 8:50 to play, but the Gamecocks rallied to tie things when Zachary Davis picked up a ball bobbled by Cameron Matthews and took it in to tie the game at 55-all with 26.1 seconds to go. Alabama transfer Nick Pringle looked like he had tied it again after Hubbard’s foul shots with an inside basket.
Michigan State basketball rides huge bench day to beat Rutgers, 81-74, stay perfect in B1G
Michigan State basketball score: The Spartans played lockdown defense and got a huge day from their bench to beat Rutgers at Madison Square Garden.
Pelote scores 24, including game-winner in OT, as Western Carolina’s tops The Citadel 80-78
Bernard Pelote had 24 points and knocked down the go-ahead jumper in overtime as Western Carolina edged The Citadel 80-78 on Saturday. Pelote had nine rebounds and three blocks for the Catamounts (6-13, 2-6 Southern Conference). Marcus Kell scored 19 points while shooting 5 for 10 (4 for 7 from 3-point range) and 5 of 8 from the free-throw line and added nine rebounds.
Johnson scores 26 and UMBC defeats Vermont 80-63
Bryce Johnson had 26 points in UMBC's 80-63 victory against Vermont on Saturday. Johnson shot 8 of 13 from the field, including 3 for 6 from 3-point range, and went 7 for 8 from the line for the Retrievers (11-10, 3-3 America East Conference). Josh Odunowo scored 19 points while finishing 9 of 11 from the floor and added 10 rebounds and four steals.
Giles scores 14, UNC Greensboro beats VMI 60-57
Kenyon Giles' 14 points helped UNC Greensboro defeat VMI 60-57 on Saturday. Giles had six rebounds for the Spartans (13-8, 6-2 Southern Conference). Donovan Atwell scored 12 points while going 4 of 10 (2 for 7 from 3-point range).
Northern Iowa defeats Indiana State 74-56
Jacob Hutson scored 19 points as Northern Iowa beat Indiana State 74-56 on Saturday. Hutson also had 12 rebounds for the Panthers (13-8, 7-3 Missouri Valley Conference). Ben Schwieger added 15 points while shooting 5 for 8 (2 for 4 from 3-point range) and 3 of 5 from the free-throw line while they also had five rebounds.
Noel scores 15, Wright State beats Detroit Mercy 67-50
Brandon Noel had 15 points in Wright State's 67-50 victory against Detroit Mercy on Saturday. Noel also added 12 rebounds and five assists for the Raiders (11-11, 5-6 Horizon League). Keaton Norris scored 12 points while going 4 of 10 (4 for 7 from 3-point range).
Joseph’s 14 lead Providence past Georgetown 78-68
Bensley Joseph's 14 points helped Providence defeat Georgetown 78-68 on Saturday. Joseph added six rebounds for the Friars (10-10, 4-5 Big East Conference). Jayden Pierre scored 14 points, shooting 7 for 12, including 0 for 5 from beyond the arc.
Second half surge leads Pitt to 77-73 win over Syracuse
The Pitt Panthers rode a big second half effort to rally past Syracuse 77-73 on Saturday afternoon at the JMA Wireless Dome. The win snaps a four-game losing steak for the Panthers, and improves their record to 13-6 overall and 4-4 in the ACC. Pitt was led by five players who reached double figures, led by sophomore point guard Jaland Lowe, who led the Panthers with 22.
Lowe’s 22 points help end Pitt skid by beating Syracuse 77-73
Jaland Lowe scored 22 points and Ishmael Leggett scored 16 points and Pitt ended a four-game losing streak by beating Syracuse 77-73 on Saturday. Cameron Corhen scored 12 points and Zack Austin and reserve Damian Dunn each scored 10 for the Panthers (13-6, 4-4 ACC). Pitt finished shooting 45.9% (28 of 61).
Moore’s 30 lead Norfolk State over Howard 92-75
Brian Moore Jr.'s 30 points led Norfolk State past Howard 92-75 on Saturday. Moore shot 11 for 18 (0 for 3 from 3-point range) and 8 of 8 from the free-throw line for the Spartans (14-8, 4-1 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference). Christian Ings scored 19 points, shooting 7 for 12 (1 for 5 from 3-point range) and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line.
Luster scores 31, Stony Brook defeats N.C. A&T 89-74
CJ Luster II put up 31 points as Stony Brook beat N.C. A&T 89-74 on Saturday. Luster shot 9 of 13 from the field, including 4 for 7 from 3-point range, and went 9 for 9 from the line for the Seawolves (5-16, 1-7 Coastal Athletic Association). Andre Snoddy added 22 points while going 9 of 15 (2 for 4 from 3-point range) while they also had 13 rebounds.
Freshman Yigitoglu’s 20 points help SMU hold off a late NC State rally for a 63-57 win
Samet Yigitoglu scored 20 points and his two free throws with 18 seconds left finished off SMU's 63-57 win over North Carolina State in the first meeting between the schools as Atlantic Coast Conference rivals on Saturday. The Mustangs (15-5, 6-3) earned their fourth win in their last five games. The Wolfpack (9-10, 2-6) lost their fourth straight and sixth in their last seven outings.
Staff picks: Can Pitt pick up a much-needed win over Syracuse?
The Panthers will be in upstate New York to take on longtime nemesis, Syracuse, for a 12:30 tip from the JMA Wireless Dome, with television coverage slated for ESPN2. Pitt is in the midst of a four-game losing streak. Last Saturday, the Panthers fell victim of Clemson by a 78-75 decision in overtime.
Game Preview: West Virginia vs. Kansas State men’s basketball
WVSports.Com West Virginia hits the road on Saturday against Kansas State as they look to bounce back from a loss to Arizona State at home earlier this week. WVSports.com offers a look at some key elements of the match-up to get you ready for tip-off.