USF wins opener in Northern Ireland

Jordan Ratinho scored 19 points, Frankie Ferrari had 14 points with nine assists and USF pulled away in the second half for a 76-58 victory over Stephen F. Austin on Friday in the Basketball Hall of Fame Belfast Classic in Northern Ireland.

Charles Minlend added 16 points and Matt McCarthy had 11 as the Dons (7-0) continued their best start since 1980.

USF took the lead for good on a Ratinho three-pointer midway through the first half and led by three at the break. The Dons built their first double-digit lead on a basket by Minlend midway through the second half and were ahead by at least eight points the rest of the way.

USF advanced to Saturday’s championship game against No. 21 Buffalo, a 96-77 winner over Milwaukee. #9 Michigan State 78, Rutgers 67: Cassius Winston scored 22 points and Nick Ward added 20 to lead the Spartans (5-2) past the host Scarlet Knights (5-2) in the Big Ten opener for both teams. #22 Wisconsin 72, #14 Iowa 66: D’Mitrik Trice, who scored 20 points, hit a crucial three-pointer with 20 seconds left as the Badgers (7-1) defeated the host Hawkeyes (6-1) in the Big Ten opener for both teams. Radford 62, #17 Texas 59: Carlik Jones’ three-point play with 24.5 seconds left lifted the Highlanders (6-1) past the host Longhorns (5-2). #21 Buffalo 96, Milwaukee 77: Jeremy Harris scored 21 points and Nick Perkins added 20 as the Bulls improved to 6-0 for the first time since the 1930-31 season. #25 Mississippi State 65, Dayton 58: Nick Weatherspoon, who scored 14 points, hit two three-pointers in the closing minutes to help the visiting Bulldogs (6-1) defeat the Flyers (4-3).