Louisiana State outlasts Tennessee in overtime
Freshman guard Javonte Smart capped a season-best 29-point performance with a crucial rebound and goahead free throws in the final seconds, and No. 13 Louisiana State outlasted No. 5 Tennessee 82-80 in overtime on Saturday at Baton Rouge, La.
“I just had a lot of fun,” Smart said, noting he did not miss a free throw during Friday’s practice. “I just said, ‘Practice makes perfect,’ and I went up to the free-throw line with a lot of confidence.”
Smart scored 11 consecutive points in the final six minutes of regulation, primarily on dribble drives, to prevent the Volunteers from pulling away.
Skyler Mays scored 23 points, including a score-tying three-point basket with 1 minute 16 seconds left in regulation for the Tigers (22-5, 12-2 Southeastern Conference), who pulled into a three-way tie with Tennessee and Kentucky atop the standings.
Admiral Schofield had 27 points and Grant Williams scored 18 for Tennessee (24-3, 12-2), which has lost two of three after spending about a month ranked first in the nation.
No. 1 Duke 75, at Syracuse 65: Freshman forward RJ Barrett scored 30 points to lead the Blue Devils (24-3, 12-2), who improved to 7-0 on the road in Atlantic Coast Conference play despite star Zion Williamson sitting out because of a sprained knee. Tyus Battle had 16 points for the Orange (18-8, 9-4).
at No. 2 Gonzaga 102, Brigham Young 68: Zach Norvell Jr. scored 25 points, Rui Hachimura had 23 points and 10 rebounds, Josh Perkins had 21 points and the Bulldogs (27-2, 14-0) won their 18th consecutive game, the longest streak in the nation. Yoeli Childs and TJ Haws each had 18 points for the Cougars (18-12, 10-5).
No. 3 Virginia 64, at No. 18 Louisville 52: De’Andre Hunter scored 19 of his career-high 26 points after halftime, and the Cavaliers (24-2, 12-2 ACC) rallied from a 12-point deficit. The Cardinals (18-10, 9-6) shot 31% from the field.
at No. 4 Kentucky 80, Auburn 53: PJ Washington scored 24 points for the Wildcats (23-4, 12-2 SEC) to help coach John Calipari (298-68) surpass Joe B. Hall (297-100) for the second-most victories in the program behind Adolph Rupp (876-190). Chuma Okeke led the Tigers (18-9, 7-7) with 14 points. at No. 6 Nevada 74, Fresno State 68: Caleb Martin scored 24 points and the Wolf Pack (25-2, 12-2 Mountain West Conference) avoided losing consecutive games for the first time this season. They trailed 62-60 with 4:34 remaining, but went on a 8-0 run over the next two minutes to grab their largest lead. Deshon Taylor led the Bulldogs (19-8, 10-5) with 30 points, two below his career high.
No. 11 Marquette 76, at
Providence 58: Sam Hauser had 18 points and 13 rebounds as the Golden Eagles (23-4, 12-2 Big East Conference) completed a season sweep of the Friars (15-13, 5-10).
at No. 14 Texas Tech 91, No. 12 Kansas 62: Jarrett Culver scored 26 points for the Red Raiders (22-5, 10-4 Big 12 Conference), who made a season-high 16 threepoint baskets in front of 15,098, the first home sellout for Texas Tech since an 84-65 victory over Kansas on March 4, 2009. That was the last time the Jayhawks (21-6, 11-3) had lost in Lubbock.
at Texas Christian 75, No. 19 Iowa State 72: Kouat Noi had 20 points and 13 rebounds to help the Horned Frogs (18-9, 6-8 Big 12) end a skid at three games. The Cyclones (19-8, 8-6) cut the deficit to 73-72 with 22 seconds left but Noi made two free throws for the final points.
No. 15 Purdue 75, at Nebraska 72: Matt Haarms scored 17 points, Grady Eifert beat the shot clock for two huge baskets down the stretch, and the Boilermakers (20-7, 13-3 Big Ten Conference) pulled out a second consecutive close road victory. Glynn Watson Jr. scored a season-high 25 points for the Cornhuskers (15-13, 5-12), who lost for the ninth time in 11 games.
No. 20 Virginia Tech 67, at Notre Dame 59: Kerry Blackshear Jr. had 22 points and 14 rebounds for the Hokies (21-6, 10-5 ACC), who led from the first basket. T.J. Gibbs had 18 points for the Fighting Irish (13-14, 3-11), who got as close as six points on three occasions in the second half before losing for the third consecutive time. No. 22 Wisconsin 69, at Northwestern 64: Brad Davison scored 16 points to help the Badgers (19-8, 11-5 Big Ten) hold on. The Wildcats (12-15, 3-13) got 24 points from Vic Law and 21 from Dererk Pardon but lost their eighth game in a row.
at No. 24 Maryland 72, Ohio State 62: Anthony Cowan Jr. scored 19 points, Bruno Fernando had 14 points and 10 rebounds, and the Terrapins (21-7, 12-5 Big Ten) improved to 14-2 at home, 7-0 in conference play. Duane Washington Jr. scored 15 points for the Buckeyes (17-10, 7-9), who have lost nine of their last 14 games.