Fort scores 19, Samford takes down Citadel 86-56 in SoCon opener

Trey Fort scored 19 points as Samford beat Citadel 86-56 on Wednesday night to open Southern Conference play. Fort went 7 of 14 from the field (5 for 10 from 3-point range) for the Bulldogs (11-3, 1-0 Southern Conference). Rylan Jones scored 18 points while finishing 6 of 9 from 3-point range and added six assists.

Dixon’s 28 lead Villanova over Butler 73-65

Eric Dixon's 28 points helped Villanova defeat Butler 73-65 on Wednesday night. Dixon shot 10 for 20 (5 for 10 from 3-point range) and 3 of 3 from the free-throw line for the Wildcats (9-5, 2-1 Big East Conference). Wooga Poplar scored 18 points while going 7 of 13 (2 for 5 from 3-point range) and added 15 rebounds.

Hepburn scores 26, Louisville pulls away from North Carolina 83-70

Chucky Hepburn made 16 of 20 free throws — going 7 for 7 in the last three minutes — and scored 26 points to lead Louisville to an 83-70 win over North Carolina on Wednesday night. Hepburn scored 13 points in the last nine minutes as the Cardinals continually came up with clutch plays after the Tar Heels cut an 11-point deficit to one and once tying the game. It was 70-69 when Hepburn was fouled on a 3-point attempt, with his makes starting a 12-0 run.