Xavier keeps rolling in rout of Marquette
Four consecutive impressive wins — each led by a different player — have No. 8 Xavier back in form at the midpoint of the Big East season.
Point guard Quentin Goodin scored 13 of his 15 points while Xavier took control in the first half, and the Musketeers routed Marquette 89-70 on Wednesday night to remain unbeaten at home.
The Musketeers (19-3, 7-2 Big East) surged ahead by 26 and were never threatened as they beat the Golden Eagles for the second time this season. Xavier has won eight of the past 10 games between the schools.
The Musketeers have recovered from back-to-back losses at Providence and No. 1 Villanova this month.
“I feel like we’re heading in the right direction,” said Trevon Bluiett, who added 13 points. “The difference this time is, we can’t get relaxed.”
Markus Howard had 33 points for Marquette (13-7, 4-4), which entered second in the nation in three-pointers. But the Golden Eagles went 6for-23 from outside the arc, tying their season low for threes.
#9 Cincinnati 75, Temple 42: Gary Clark had 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Jarron Cumberland scored 11 of his 13 in the first half to help the Bearcats (17-2, 7-0 American Athletic Conference) extend the nation’s longest active home winning streak to 37. It was the season’s worst loss for Temple (10-10, 2-6).
#19 Auburn 91, Missouri 73: Jared Harper scored 21 points, Bryce Brown and Desean Murray each added 16, and the visiting Tigers (18-2, 6-1 SEC) pulled away with a 20-2 run in the second half. Kassius Robertson led Missouri (13-7, 3-4) with 21 points.
South Wesley Carolina Myers scored 77, #20 22 points, Florida Chris 72: Silva added a double-double and the host Gamecocks (13-7, 4-4 SEC) won the Elite Eight rematch from last year’s NCAA Tournament. The Gators (14-6, 6-2) led by 11 in the first half and were up 48-39 early in the second but had no answer for Myers outside and Silva down low.
Wyoming 104, #23 Nevada 103: Justin James scored 33 points and Hayden Dalton added 25 as the host Cowboys (13-7, 4-3 Mountain West) won in double overtime, their first win over a ranked team since 2014. Jordan Caroline scored 29 points for the Wolf Pack (18-4, 7-1).
#24 Andre 9-of-12 Rhode Berry shooting, scored Island Jared 20 78, points Terrell Fordham on had 58: 17 points and six assists, and the Rams (16-3, 8-0 Atlantic 10) cruised at historic Rose Hill Gym in New York City. Rhode Island has won 11 straight games for the first time in 70 years.
Boise Chris 11-of-15 Sengfelder State shooting 94, scored San and host Jose 31 Broncos points State on 71: hit a season-high 18 three-pointers in their win. Zach Haney’s jumper made it 20-19 midway through the first half for Boise State (17-4, 7-2 Mountain West), who led the rest of the way. Ryan Welage led San Jose State (3-16, 0-8) with 22 points.
WOMEN #1 UConn 93, Memphis 36: Napheesa Collier scored 19 points and grabbed 12 rebounds and the Huskies (19-0, 8-0 American Athletic) rolled on the road. UConn trailed only briefly in the opening minutes before beating the Tigers (7-13, 2-5) for the ninth consecutive time.
Boise State 112, San Jose State 80: The visiting Broncos (12-8, 6-3 Mountain West) shot 58.6 percent and went on a 27-7 run to close the first half. Riley Lupfer scored 27 points for Boise State, while the Spartans (6-13, 3-5) got 15 points each from Megan Anderson and Myzhanique Ladd.