Mississippi State’s bench comes to the rescue in 84-79 win over SMU

Reserve KeShawn Murphy scored 16 points and led a quartet of Mississippi State bench players in double-digit scoring and the Bulldogs beat SMU 84-79 on Friday night. Reserves RJ Melendez scored 15 points, Riley Kugel 13 and Claudell Harris Jr. 10. Josh Hubbard was the lone Mississippi State (5-0) starter in double figures with 14 points on just 4-for-18 shooting.

Tre Johnson scores 17, leads Texas over Saint Joseph’s 67-58 in title game of UKG Legends Classic

Tre Johnson scored 17 points to help Texas hold off Saint Joseph's 67-58 in the championship game of the UKG Legends Classic at the Barclays Center on Friday night. Johnson made 7 of 18 shots from the floor — 1 of 5 from beyond the 3-point line — and both his free throws for the Longhorns (5-1). Arthur Kaluma finished with 14 points, four rebounds, four assists and three blocked shots for Texas.

Lanier’s huge first half propels No. 11 Tennessee to 77-62 win over No. 13 Baylor in the Bahamas

Chaz Lanier made seven 3-pointers and scored 25 points — all in the first half — as No. 11 Tennessee cruised past No. 13 Baylor 77-62 on Friday night to win the Baha Mar Championship title. Lanier took the drama out of the game early, making five 3-pointers in the first four minutes to carry the Volunteers (6-0) to a 16-2 lead. Lanier finished 9 of 16 from the field and 7 of 10 from 3-point range and was named the tournament's MVP.

Thiero, Fland lead No. 20 Arkansas past Little Rock 79-67

Thiero scored 16 of his 23 in the second half to put the Trojans away after they cut Arkansas' lead to seven points. The Razorbacks never trailed and improved to 4-1 under Hall of Fame coach John Calipari. Along with Thiero's second half, Arkansas used a 7-0 run to keep Little Rock at bay.