Category: Basketball

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.

Mikal Dawson scored 27 points as Marshall beat Ohio 79-70 on Saturday night. Dawson also added four steals for the Thundering Herd (6-5). Obinna Anochili-Killen scored 12 points and added 10 rebounds and three blocks.

Backup guard Cade Tyson scored a season-high 23 points and made five 3-pointers in the Tar Heels' 93-67 victory over La Salle on Saturday. Tyson shot 9-for-14 overall, including 5 for 10 on 3-pointers. He was averaging 2.7 points through UNC's first nine games.

Sean Pedulla scored 18 points on six 3-pointers to lead No. 19 Mississippi to a 77-46 victory over Southern Miss on Saturday. Jaylen Murray had 14 points and made four 3s for the Rebels (9-1) in the neutral-site game at Mississippi Coast Coliseum. Davon Barnes added nine points and a career-high 11 rebounds and Jaemyn Brakefield scored 10.

Don McHenry scored seven of his 29 points in overtime to lead Western Kentucky over Murray State 81-76 on Saturday. McHenry hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 39 seconds left and two free throws with 15 remaining to rally the Hilltoppers (7-3). He added five rebounds.