Duncan, UVM drop UML
Ernie Duncan poured in a seasonhigh 32 points on 10-of-11 shooting and Drew Urquhart notched his first double-double of the season as Vermont defeated UMass-Lowell, 88-77, in an America East Conference opener last night in Lowell.
Vermont (10-5) won its sixth straight conference opener.
Duncan was 5-of-6 shooting from 3-point range and made all seven of his free throws. Urquhart made 7-of-10 shots and scored a careerbest 19 points and tied his career high with 12 rebounds. Payton Henson added 15 points for Vermont, which shot 59 percent from the floor, 50 percent from 3-point range and won the rebound battle, 33-20.
Jahad Thomas scored 30 points with four rebounds, four assists and four steals for the River Hawks (6-8), who lost their conference opener for the first time in four years.
Rinardo Perry added 15 points for UMass-Lowell, which shot 53 percent from the floor but just 5-of-19 (26 percent) from long range.
Mount St. Mary’s 96, Bryant 80 — In Emmitsburg, Md., Junior Robinson scored 25 points with nine assists, Jonah Antonio added 18 points with four 3-pointers, and the Mountaineers (7-9, 1-2 NEC) stranded the Bulldogs (1-15, 0-3).
Adam Grant scored 29 points to lead Bryant.
Fairleigh Dickinson 81, Central Conn. 77 — In Teaneck, N.J., Noah Morgan scored 21 points and the Knights (5-9, 2-1 NEC) rallied past the Blue Devils (8-8, 1-2).
Joe Hugley compiled 33 points and 12 rebounds for CCSU.
Wagner 69, Sacred Heart 63 — In New York, Romone Saunders tied his career best with 24 points while grabbing nine rebounds as the Seahawks (95, 2-1 NEC) took control in the second half to beat the Pioneers (6-10, 1-2).
Mario Matasovic led Sacred Heart with 16 points.
In Top 25 action:
Michigan St. 91, Maryland 61 — In East Lansing, Mich., Miles Bridges had 15 points, seven assists, six rebounds and two blocks to help the No. 1 Spartans (15-1, 3-0 Big Ten) turn a closely contested game into another rout, pulling away from the Terrapins (13-4, 2-2).
Colorado 90, Arizona State 81 — Namon Wright scored five of his 19 points in overtime, including a pair of crucial free throws at the end, and the Buffaloes (9-6, 1-2 Pac-12) beat the No. 4 Sun Devils (12-2, 0-2) in Boulder, Colo.
Wichita St. 81, Houston 63 — In Wichita, Kan., Landry Shamet scored 18 points in just 22 minutes to lead the No. 9 Shockers (12-2, 2-0 AAC) past the Cougars (12-3, 2-1).
Arizona 94, Utah 82 — Deandre Ayton scored 24 points and grabbed 14 rebounds as the No. 14 Wildcats (123, 2-0 Pac-12) never trailed in beating the Utes (10-4, 2-1) in Salt Lake City.
Cincinnati 55, Temple 53 — Jacob Evans III hit the winner with .4 seconds to play and the No. 19 Bearcats (13-2, 2-0 American) edged the Owls (7-7, 0-3) in Philadelphia.