Hot-shooting Nova routs Big East-leading Xavier

Mikal Bridges led an early 3-point shooting spurt that put Villanova in control, and the third-ranked Wildcats showed they’re not ready to relinquish their reign in the Big East, beating No. 4 Xavier, 95-79, on Saturday in a showdown for the conference lead in Cincinnati.

The Wildcats (24-3, 11-3) have won all four regularseason titles since the league was reconfigured. Xavier (24-4, 12-3) had a chance to take control of the race. Now, Xavier’s lead is down to a half game and Villanova has swept the season series.

Bridges scored 25 points for Villanova. Trevon Bluiett had 26 points for Xavier, which had its nine-game winning streak snapped. S. Carolina 84, Auburn 75

In Columbia S.C., Frank Booker had 19 points, and South Carolina built a 26point lead before holding on to end a six-game losing streak.

The Tigers (23-4, 11-3 SEC) had won seven of their past eight. Instead, the Gamecocks (14-13, 5-9) used a 21-1 run in the first half on the way to a 37-11 lead.

Auburn played most of the game without forward Anfernee McLemore, who dislocated his left ankle at the end of the first half. Still, the Tigers rallied to within 64-59 on Bryce Brown’s free throws with 6:58 to go.

Texas 77, Oklahoma 66

In Norman, Okla., Dylan Osetkowski scored 21 points, Texas slowed national scoring leader Trae Young, and the Longhorns beat No. 23 Oklahoma to extend the Sooners’ losing streak to five games.

Young, a freshman point guard, scored 26 points on 7-for-21 shooting. Christian James scored 11 points and was the only other Sooner to score in double figures.

Kerwin Roach scored 12 points, Matt Coleman scored 11 and Mohamed Bamba added 10 points and 18 rebounds for Texas (16-11, 6-8 Big 12).

Baylor 59, Texas Tech 57

In Waco, Texas, Terry Maston scored 24 points and Baylor beat No. 7 Texas Tech, ending the Red Raiders’ seven-game winning streak after the Big 12 leaders lost top scorer Keenan Evans to a foot injury in the first half.

Maston hit the go-ahead shot with 1:26 remaining as the Bears (17-10, 7-7 Big 12) won their fifth straight.

Mich. St. 65. Northwestern 60

In Rosemont Ill., Cassius Winston scored 17 points, and No. 2 Michigan State erased a 27-point deficit to extend its winning streak to 10 games.

Nick Ward added 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Spartans (26-3, 14-2 Big Ten).