Williams ends slump as North Carolina routs Stanford

Kenny Williams scored 12 points after starting the season by missing his first 10 shots, and No. 7 North Carolina dominated the first half en route to a 90-72 victory over Stanford in its home opener Monday.

Williams scored on a layup less than 90 seconds into the game, then followed with a three-pointer a few minutes later.

“It was a big relief,” Williams said. “I wasn’t doing anything different to my shot. Like I told you guys, it just wasn’t going in.”

Cameron Johnson had 17 points to lead four players in double figures for the Tar Heels (3-0), who shot 60% in the first half. Luke Maye’s three-pointer just before the halftime buzzer gave North Carolina a 52-26 lead.

The Cardinal (2-1) got no closer than 15 points in the second half.

at No. 2 Kansas 84, Vermont 68: Kansas guard Lagerald Vick followed his underwhelming performance against Michigan State with what coach Bill Self called the best offensive performance of anybody he has coached. Vick was eight for eight from three-point range and finished with a careerhigh 32 points.

“He was fabulous,” Self said. “He was great. He carried us.”

Vick got help from Udoka Azubuike, who had 23 points and 11 rebounds, and Devon Dotson, who kept finding Vick open on the perimeter and contributed 10 points and 10 assists. Vick finished 12 of 14 from the field in helping Kansas (2-0) win its 46th straight home opener.

Anthony Lamb had 24 points, Ernie Duncan had 17 and Stef Smith scored 13 for the Catamounts (1-1), who have lost nine straight to ranked teams dating to a win over Boston College in 2006.

at No. 12 Kansas State 64, Denver 56: Barry Brown scored 15 of his 25 points in the second half as the Wildcats staved off an upset bid by the pesky Pioneers (1-1).

Kansas State (2-0) got the win despite shooting 38% from the field, including six of 27 (22%) from threepoint range. The Wildcats were 12 of 27 on free throws.

“We are too quick on the trigger and we aren’t wearing the defense down at all,” coach Bruce Weber said. “I think some of them were a little rushed and we’ve got to get it inside more.”

No. 25 Buffalo 62, at Southern Illinois 53: Montell McRae and Jeremy Harris each scored 11 points for the Bulls (3-0), who won despite shooting 35.5% from the field.

The Bulls had a 41-33 advantage on the glass and scored 23 points off 19 turnovers.

“We kind of out-toughed them, I felt a little bit, and they are a really tough team,” Bulls coach Nate Oats said. “We just had to grind out a win here.”

Kavion Pippen led the Salukis (0-2) with 18 points.

at Minnesota 78, Utah 69: Freshman Gabe Kalscheur went five for six from three-point range and had 19 points as all five Golden Gophers starters scored in double digits.

Amir Coffey had 14 points and six assists for Minnesota (2-0), which registered 20 assists against only 11 turnovers.

Sedrick Barefield and Vante Hendrix each scored 14 points for the Utes (1-1), who trailed for the final 25 minutes.

at Washington 66, San Diego 63: Jaylen Nowell scored 12 of his 18 points in the second half as the Huskies (2-1) escaped with a victory.

Tyler Williams missed a three-point shot in the final seconds for San Diego (2-1).