NIKE JUST BLEW IT: DUKE STAR IS HURT IN LOSS
San Diego State hands Nevada its 2nd defeat
Zion Williamson’s shoe blew up in a fall that resulted in a sprained knee during the game’s first minute, and the Blue Devils lost to North Carolina.
DURHAM, N.C. — Zion Williamson blew out his shoe, and then No. 8 North Carolina blew out top-ranked Duke.
Luke Maye took full advantage of a freak injury to the freshman sensation, finishing with 30 points and 15 rebounds to help the Tar Heels rout Duke 88-72 on Wednesday night.
“Obviously, you lose a national player of the year candidate,” coach Mike Krzyzewski said, “there are going to be gaps of what you have to do.”
A star-studded crowd that included former President Barack Obama, Spike Lee and Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. packed into Cameron looking for another highlight-filled show from Williamson — arguably the most exciting player in college basketball. But the Atlantic Coast Conference’s second-leading scorer sprained his right knee during the Blue Devils’ opening possession.
“It was just a shock for us,” Duke forward Cameron Reddish said.
Williamson grabbed the knee in pain after slipping awkwardly and falling when his left Nike shoe fell apart as he planted hard while dribbling near the free throw line. The blue rubber sole ripped loose from the white shoe from the heel to the toes along the outside edge, with Williamson’s foot coming all the way through the large gap.
Krzyzewski classified the injury as a mild sprain, but didn’t know how much time Williamson will miss.
Cameron Johnson added 26 points and Garrison Brooks had 14 for the Tar Heels (21-5, 11-2). RJ Barrett matched a season best with 33 points and fellow freshman Reddish added
a season-high 27 for Duke (23-3, 11-2) — but the rest of the team combined to score just 12. SAN DIEGO STATE 65, NO. 6
NEVADA 57: In San Diego, Jeremy Hemsley and Devin Watson scored 15 points apiece for San Diego State (17-9, 9-4 Mountain West), which shut down Jordan Caroline and beat cold-shooting Nevada for the third straight time.
Jalen McDaniels added 10 points for SDSU, which snapped a 10-game winning streak by the Wolf Pack (242, 11-2), prompting fans to rush the court.
Caleb Martin had 20 points for Nevada, which was held to its lowest point total this season. No. 10 MICHIGAN STATE 72,
RUTGERS 60: In East Lansing, Mich.,Cassius Winston scored 28 points and Xavier Tillman had a career-high 19 points and 10 rebounds, helping the Spartans (22-5, 13-3) move a half-game ahead of No. 7 Michigan and No. 15 Purdue in the Big Ten standings. Rutgers (12-14, 5-11) has lost five of its past six games. NO. 11 MARQUETTE 79, BUTLER 69: In Milwaukee, Markus Howard scored 28 points and Theo John added 15 points and 11 rebounds as Marquette (22-4, 11-2 Big East) erased an eight-point deficit early in the second half with a 25-7 run. Sean McDermott had 27 points for Butler (15-12, 6-8). FLORIDA 82, NO. 13 LSU 77 (OT): In Baton Rouge, La., Kevaughn Allen highlighted a 21-point performance with a pair of 3-pointers late in overtime, and Florida (15-11, 7-6 SEC) beat a ranked team for the first time this season. Naz Reid had 16 points and 15 rebounds for LSU (21-5, 11-2), which lost for only the second time in 16 games GEORGETOWN 85, No. 17 VILLANOVA 73: In Washington, Jessie Govan had 21 points and 11 rebounds, and Mac McClung scored 21 points
as Georgetown (16-10, 6-7 Big East) snapped a nine-game losing streak against the Wildcats (20-7, 11-3). Phil Booth had 26 points and Eric Paschall added 16 for Villanova. SYRACUSE 69, No. 18 LOUISVILLE 49: In Syracuse, N.Y., Elijah Hughes scored 18 points and Oshae Brissett had 16 to lead four players in double figures as Syracuse (18-8, 9-4 ACC) beat Louisville (18-9, 9-5). COLORADO STATE 91, SAN JOSE
STATE 70: In San Jose, Calif., Kris Martin had 19 points as Colorado State (10-16, 5-8 Mountain West) romped. Nico Carvacho added 18 points for the Rams. Seneca Knight had 14 points for the Spartans (3-22, 0-13), whose losing streak reached 16 games. AIR FORCE 64, FRESNO STATE 61: In Fresno, Calif., Caleb Morris hit five 3-pointers and finished with 17 points, including 14 in the second half, to help Air Force (11-15, 6-8 MW) hold off Fresno State (19-7, 10-4). Deshon Taylor had 23 points for the Bulldogs.
Women
No. 1 BAYLOR 80, KANSAS 40: In Waco, Texas, Kalani Brown reached career milestones of 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds as Baylor (24-1, 14-0 Big 12) clinched at least a share of its ninth consecutive Big 12 regularseason championship with a win over Kansas (12-13, 2-12). No. 3 UCONN 102, MEMPHIS 45: In Hartford, Conn., Katie Lou Samuelson scored a season-high 32 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as UConn (24-2, 12-0) routed Memphis (10-16, 5-8) to remain unbeaten in six seasons of American Athletic Conference play. No. 20 IOWA STATE 91, OKLAHOMA
70: In Norman, Okla., Bridget Carleton had 28 points and 10 rebounds to help Iowa State (20-6, 10-4) beat Oklahoma (6-19, 2-12), the Cyclones’ first victory over the Sooners in Norman since the 2013-14 season.