No. 1 Villanova gets Philly party started
Villanova turned the site of its latest romp into the scene of a Super Bowl pep rally Sunday.
Omari Spellman hit six three-pointers and had 26 points and 11 rebounds to help No. 1 Villanova begin a rousing day in Philadelphia sports with a 92-76 win over Seton Hall.
The Wildcats (22-1, 9-1 Big East) won their ninth straight game in front of a crowd dotted with green jerseys and chanting for the Eagles hours before the Super Bowl. Desi Rodriguez had 20 for the the Pirates (17-6, 6-4).
“I love the Eagles,” Villanova head coach Jay Wright said, “but this is way more important to me.”
Mikal Bridges, who scored 17 points, hit a three with 2:22 left for a 21-point lead that served as the cue for fans to turn their full attention toward the Eagles. #17 Ohio State 75, Illinois 67: Keita Bates-Diop scored a career-high 35 points and had 13 rebounds for the host Buckeyes (20-5, 11-1 Big Ten). Mark Alstork paced the Illini (12-12, 2-9) with 19 points. #25 ASU 88, WSU 78: Shannon Evans II scored 23 points, Romello White added 21 and Tra Holder had 20 for the visiting Sun Devils (17-6, 5-6 Pac-12). Malachi Flynn scored 22 for the Cougars (9-13, 1-9), who have lost five in a row.
WOMEN
#1 UConn 105, Cincinnati 65: Napheesa Collier scored 25 points and Kia Nurse added 23 as the host Huskies (22-0, 10-0 American) earned their 150th straight win over an unranked opponent. Azura Stevens had 20 points and Katie Lou Samuelson had 18 for UConn, which has won all 80 of its regularseason conference games since the formation of the American. #4 77: Myisha Louisville Asia Hines-Allen Durr scored 84, Syracuse added 27 points, 19 points and 11 rebounds, and the Cardinals (24-1, 10-1 ACC) won their 13th straight road game. The Orange (17-7, 5-6) lost for the second straight time at home after reeling off 11 in a row. #5 Notre Dame 72, #19 Duke 54: Marina Mabrey scored 18 points and Jackie Young added 17 points to help the visiting Fighting Irish (22-2, 10-1 ACC) win their seventh straight. ACC scoring leader Lexie Brown finished with 16 points for the Blue Devils (18-6, 7-4). #10 Florida State 66, Pitt 59: A.J. Alix scored 25 points to help the visiting Seminoles (19-4, 7-3 ACC) prevail in a game that featured 14 lead changes. Alayna Gribble scored 13 points for the Panthers (10-14, 2-9). ASU 77, WSU 51: Courtney Ekmark had 18 points as the host Sun Devils (17-7, 8-4 Pac-12) throttled the Cougars (10-14, 3-9). Utah 78, Colorado 74: Megan Huff scored 21 points to lead the visiting Utes (15-8, 6-6 Pac-12) over the Buffaloes (12-11, 3-9). Arizona 72, Washington 70: Lucia Alonso scored 19 points (though she committed nine turnovers) as the host Wildcats (6-17, 2-10 Pac-12) edged the Huskies (7-16, 1-11).