Category: Basketball

Matt Cross scored 16 points and tied a career-high with 16 rebounds and SMU used a strong second half to win its fifth straight game, beating LSU 74-64 on Saturday in the Compete 4 Cause Classic at the Comerica Center. It was Cross' third double-double of the season. B.J. Edwards and Samet Yigitoglu each scored 12 and reserve Chuck Harris scored 11 for the Mustangs (9-2).

Isaiah Watts' 20 points helped Washington State defeat Missouri State 91-78 on Saturday night. Watts had seven rebounds for the Cougars (9-2). Dane Erikstrup scored 20 points, going 6 of 7 from the floor, including 2 for 3 from 3-point range, and 6 for 8 from the free-throw line.

Jordan Gainey pushed Tennessee to a 66-64 win over Illinois on Saturday night.

A skirmish broke out in the second half of Kentucky's 93-85 win over Louisville.

Ali Abdou Dibba's 18 points helped Southern Illinois defeat Austin Peay 65-60 on Saturday night. Dibba added five rebounds for the Salukis (5-6). Jarrett Hensley shot 4 of 12 from the field, including 1 for 4 from 3-point range, and went 4 for 4 from the line to add 13 points.

Jamir Watkins hit a career-high 19 free throws on 23 attempts and finished with 29 points as Florida State snapped a two-game losing streak by holding off Tulane, 77-64 in Saturday's nightcap of the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic doubleheader in Sunrise, Florida. Kaleb Banks and Rowan Brumbaugh opened the game by hitting back-to-back 3-pointers to give Tulane a 6-0 lead but the Seminoles answered with a 21-2 run to take control and lead 37-22 at the break.

Jaron Pierre Jr. had 26 points in Jacksonville State's 70-66 victory over Utah Valley on Saturday night. Pierre also added eight rebounds for the Gamecocks (6-4). Jao Ituka scored 10 points while finishing 2 of 3 from 3-point range and 4 for 4 from the line.

Jaylen Smith scored 21 points as North Florida beat UNC Greensboro 89-77 on Saturday night. Smith also added nine assists and five steals for the Ospreys (7-4). Nate Lliteras added 20 points while going 6 of 10 from the floor, including 4 for 7 from 3-point range, and 4 for 5 from the line while he also had five rebounds.

Javon Small scored 27 to lead West Virginia to an 84-61 victory over Bethune-Cookman on Saturday night. Small made 7 of 15 shots from the floor with two 3-pointers and all 11 of his free throws for the Mountaineers (8-2), who have won four in a row and improved to 6-0 at home. Aman Hansberry totaled 16 points and six rebounds for West Virginia.

Andrej Stojakovic scored a career-high 31 points, reserve Jermiah Wilkinson scored 18 and Cal beat Northwestern State 84-66 on Saturday to end its three-game losing streak. Stojakovic — whose prior career high was 26 points on Dec. 3 against Missouri — finished 10-for-14 shooting, including 4 for 6 from 3-point range and 7 for 8 from the foul line. Joshua Ola-Joseph added 13 points and Jovan Blacksher Jr. 12 for the Golden Bears who shook off the after effects of their 88-80 loss on Tuesday night against Cornell.

All Wright had 26 points in Valparaiso's 93-77 victory against Central Michigan on Saturday night. Wright shot 7 for 16 (4 for 8 from 3-point range) and 8 of 8 from the free-throw line for the Beacons (5-4). Tyler Schmidt scored 21 points and added six rebounds.

Boubacar Coulibaly had 22 points in Pepperdine's 86-76 victory over Northern Arizona on Saturday night. Coulibaly shot 10 of 10 from the field for the Waves (5-6). Moe Odum added 20 points while shooting 5 for 8 (3 for 3 from 3-point range) and 7 of 10 from the free-throw line while and also had eight assists and three steals.