Griffin helps Syracuse surge past Clemson
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Alan Griffin hit three straight 3-pointers to score nine of his 22 points in just under three minutes on Wednesday as Syracuse opened the second half on a furious 15-2 run to break away from Clemson for a win.
The Orange (15-8, 9-7 ACC) hit their first six shots of the second half, including three from distance, while Clemson (15-6, 9-6) was 1 of 4 shooting. The teams had ended a cold-shooting first half with Syracuse ahead 25-22.
In less than four minutes, Syracuse made it a completely different game, doubling its field goal percentage from 25% in the first half to 50% in the second.
TOP 10 WOMEN No. 10 Indiana 89, Iowa 80
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Grace Berger, Mackenzie Holmes and Ali Patberg each scored 22 points as Indiana rallied from a seven-point deficit in the third quarter for a Big Ten home victory over Iowa.
The Hoosiers (17-4, 15-2 Big Ten) pulled to within a half-game of
No. 8 Maryland (19-2, 15-1) for the regular-season conference crown. Indiana has one game remaining while the Terrapins have two.
Iowa freshman guard Caitlin Clark, the nation’s second-leading scorer at 26.9 points per game, led all scorers with 32 points before fouling out late in the fourth quarter.
Manika Czinano added 20 points for the Hawkeyes (14-8, 10-8).
LATE TUESDAY
Top 25 men
No. 4 Illinois 76, No. 2 Michigan 53
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Trent Frazier, Andre Curbelo and Illinois arrived at Crisler Center ready to make a point.
“We’re the hardest-playing team in the country. That’s our statement,” Frazier said. “Even without our best player, we’ve got a lot of guys on this team.”
Duly noted.
Frazier led the way with 22 points, Curbelo scored 11 of his
17 in the first half, and the Illini dismantled Michigan with a smothering defensive performance, routing the Wolverines.
Kofi Cockburn added 12 points for Illinois. Playing again without injured star Ayo Dosunmu, the Illini (19-6, 15-4 Big Ten) kept Michigan from clinching the conference title and boosted their own chances at a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.
“I would be challenged to find a better win in college basketball this year — a better road win anyway. I mean, in all the analytics, they’re up there,” Illinois coach Brad Underwood said. “So I think it’s got to make a pretty solid statement.”
Eli Brooks scored 11 points and was the only player in double figures for Michigan. The Wolverines (18-2, 13-2) looked physically overwhelmed for much of the night, unable to create good shots and unable to keep the Illini off the boards. It was an eye-opening blowout — especially since Michigan has rolled to similar margins of victory against other good teams this season.
No. 8 Alabama 70, Auburn 58
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Jaden Shackelford scored 23 points, made five 3-pointers and helped Alabama quash a second-half threat and beat Auburn.
Shackelford helped the Crimson Tide (20-6, 15-2 SEC) score 10 straight points after the Tigers (12-14, 6-11) pulled to within five late.
Alabama had just secured its first SEC title in 19 years at Mississippi State over the weekend and followed that by completing its first season sweep of Auburn since 2014-15. The Tide cut down the nets to celebrate the league championship after the win.
Jaylin Williams led Auburn with 13 points.
No. 12 Arkansas 101, South Carolina 73
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Moses Moody tied his career high with 28 points and Arkansas beat South Carolina for its 10th straight win in the Southeastern Conference.
The Razorbacks (20-5, 12-4 SEC) did it with the long ball, hitting 15 3-pointers to continue its longest league win streak to match the 1994 national champions.
AJ Lawson led the Gamecocks (6-13, 4-11) with 18 points.
No. 15 Texas 81, Iowa State 67
AMES, Iowa — Kai Jones came off the bench to score a seasonhigh 17 points and lead four Texas players in double figures, and the Longhorns beat Iowa State.
Texas (15-7, 9-6 Big 12) led for all but 22 seconds, beating the Cyclones for the eighth time in 10 meetings. Iowa State (2-19, 0-16) was led by Jalen Coleman-Lands, who scored 22 points.
No. 18 Texas Tech 69, TCU 49
LUBBOCK, Texas — Kyler Edwards scored 17 of his 20 points in the first half to help Texas Tech take control, and the Red Raiders rolled past TCU.
The Red Raiders (16-8, 8-7 Big 12) followed a nine-point home victory over No. 15 Texas with another strong effort.
No. 23 Purdue 73, No. 25 Wisconsin 69
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Freshman Zach Edey scored a career-high 21 points and Jaden Ivey added 18 to help Purdue hold on to beat Wisconsin.
The Boilermakers (17-8, 12-6 Big Ten) have won four straight and five of their last six.
Ben Davison led the Badgers (16-10, 10-9) with 15 points.