Spartans’ emotional upset attempt falls short

NMSU falls at home; Wyoming tops SDSU

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State women’s basketball players wiped away tears as they stood shoulder to shoulder during a moment of silence before losing to No. 8 Maryland 66-61 on Saturday, less than a week after three students were killed in a shooting on campus.

Diamond Miller scored 29 points and helped the Terrapins (22-5, 13-3 Big Ten) hold on for the win after leading by 16 points in the second half.

The Spartans (13-13, 5-10) rallied to have a chance at pulling off an upset, coming up short after DeeDee Hagerman missed a 3-pointer with 3 seconds left.

Michigan State players wore white shirts with “Spartan Strong” and the school’s logo in green during warmups. The victims, and survivors, were honored with pregame remarks as athletic events resumed on a campus and community reeling from the tragedy.

No. 6 UCONN 60, No. 14 VILLANOVA 51:

In Villanova, Pa., Lou Lopez Sénéchal scored 22 points, including a crucial rainbow jumper late in the fourth quarter, to lead No. 6 UConn (24-4, 16-1 Big East) to a victory over Maddy Siegrist and Villanova. Siegrist, the nation’s leading scorer, had 21 points for the Wildcats (23-5, 14-3). Villanova lost just its second contest in the last 16, both to UConn.

No. 7 IOWA 80, NEBRASKA 60: In Lincoln, Neb., Caitlin Clark scored 30 points, Monika Czinano added 20 and Iowa (22-5, 14-2 Big Ten) pulled away in the second half for a win over Nebraska (1413, 6-10).

CAL BAPTIST 73, NEW MEXICO STATE 65:

In Las Cruces, Lesila Finau scored 22 points and the Lancers (15-11, 11-4 Western Athletic) rallied in the second half to defeat the Aggies (13-14, 8-7).

NMSU led 28-26 at halftime but could not keep pace after intermission. Tayelin Grays had 15 points to lead the Aggies.

MOUNTAIN WEST: In San Diego, Wyoming’s Allyson Fertig scored 20 points and the Cowgirls used a 50-point second half to take a 70-58 win over San Diego State. Wyoming (18-9, 11-5) pulled into a three-way tie for second place with the Aztecs (21-8, 11-5) and Colorado State (18-9, 11-5). The Rams held on for a 67-64 win over Air Force (12-15, 7-8) in Fort Collins, Colorado.