NO.5SANDIEGO STATE GETS PAST AIR FORCE

VEGAS» Jordan Schakel

L AS scored 14 of his 17 points in the second half as No. 5 San Diego State rallied for a 73-60 win over Air Force in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West Conference tournament on Thursday.

Schakel, who shot 1 of 5 in the first half, hit four 3-pointers in the second half for the top-seeded Aztecs (29-1), who rode a 21-3 run to their 13th consecutive quarterfinal victory.

Yanni Wetzell and Malachi Flynn had 16 points each for San Diego State, which is hoping to earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

NO. 19 OHIO STATE 71, NO. 23 ILLINOIS 63. OHIO»

COLUMBUS,

Kaleb Wesson scored 19 points to lead Ohio State past Illinois.

E.J. Liddell tied a career high with 17 points and had 11 rebounds for the Buckeyes (21-9, 11-8 Big Ten), who have won four in a row and nine of their last 11. They are playing well at a critical time, with a road matchup against No. 16 Michigan State looming this weekend and the Big Ten tournament beginning Wednesday in Indianapolis.

Ayo Dosunmu had 21 points and five assists to pace Illinois (20-10, 12-7), which saw its conference championship hopes fade a bit more after starting the day a half-game behind leaders Maryland, Wisconsin and Michigan State. Still, the Illini are poised for a berth in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in seven years.

UCONN 77, NO. 21 HOUSTON 71. CONN.» Christian

STORRS,

Vital scored 26 points in his final home game and UConn beat Houston.

Freshman James Bouknight added 17 points and Isaiah Whaley had 13 for the Huskies (18-12, 9-8 American Athletic Conference), who won their fourth straight game, but just their second this season over a ranked opponent.

NO. 25 MICHIGAN 82, NEBRASKA 58.

ANN ARBOR, MICH.» Jon Teske scored 12 points and Zavier Simpson added 11 in their home finale, and Michigan beat Nebraska as Wolverines fans welcomed former coach John Beilein back to Crisler Center.

Nebraska (7-23, 2-17) was without guard Cam Mack, suspended for a violation of team rules. The Cornhuskers have lost 15 straight.

USC WOMEN 69, COLORARO 54. VEGAS» Alissa Pili

LAS scored 22 points and seventhseeded Southern California pulled away late in the third quarter to beat No. 10 seed Colorado 69-54 in the first round of the Pac-12 Conference tournament.

Endyia Rogers added 15 points and Kayla Overbeck had 10 for the Trojans, who shot 70% (16 of 23) from the floor in the fourth quarter and finished 30-of-49 overall (61%).

Peanut Tuitele scored 18 points to lead Colorado (16-14), which has lost five of its last six games including consecutive double-digit losses to the Trojans. Mya Hollingshed added 13 points.