No. 2 Kentucky topples first-ranked Mich. State
New Mexico State gets off to good start with rout of WNMU
NEW YORK — Tyrese Maxey, Kentucky’s latest freshman star, scored 26 points as the secondranked Wildcats opened the season with a 69-62 victory vs. No. 1 Michigan State on Tuesday night in the Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden.
The Nos. 1 and 2 teams opened their seasons against each other for the first time since 1975.
Michigan State entered the season as the No. 1 team in the country for the first time, but aside from All-American Cassius Winston, the Spartans struggled to score. Winston had 21 points.
This Kentucky team is built around returning contributors instead of one-and-done freshmen, but Maxey asserted himself in his first game.
After Winston cut the lead to three on a threepoint play with 1:27 left, Maxey hit a straight-on 3 from way behind the line to make it 65-60 with 59 seconds left.
No. 4 DUKE 68, No. 3 KANSAS 66: In New York, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski was pleased with his young team’s poise in the season opener, especially that of sophomore Tre Jones.
Jones scored 15 points and Cassius Stanley added 11 of his 13 points in the second half to help the Blue Devils beat Kansas in the opener of the Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden.
“The difference maker was Tre. Lot of young guys, lot of new guys,” Krzyzewski said. “We really tried to play good defense in our first 30 practices. We played really good defense (tonight). It starts with that kid. Really happy with my team. Terrific win for us.”
No. 5 LOUISVILLE 87, MIAMI 74: In Coral Gables, Fla., Jordan Nwora’s 23-point performance included four 3-pointers and a throw-down dunk to help Louisville open its season by beating Miami.
UTEP 93, NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS 70: In El Paso, the Miners got a team-high 18 points from Efe Odigie in earning a victory over the Cowboys.
It was the season opener for UTEP, but considered an exhibition by Highlands.
The Cowboys’ high scorers were Raquan Mitchell and Sammy Barnes-Thompkins with 18 points apiece.
NEW MEXICO STATE 92, WESTERN NEW MEXICO 46: In Las Cruces, NMSU raced out to a 16-0 lead en route to defeating Western New Mexico at the Pan Am Center.
The game was considered an exhibition by the visiting Mustangs but the season opener for the Aggies.
Five players scored in double figures for NMSU, led by Jabari Rice with 21. Andrew Leonard led Western with 14.
Women
MISSOURI STATE 77, No. 23 MINNESOTA 69: In Minneapolis, Brice Calip scored a career-high 21 points, and Jasmine Franklin had 14 points and 10 rebounds as Missouri State beat Minnesota for Amaka Agugua-Hamilton’s first victory as coach of the Lady Bears.
No. 2 BAYLOR 97, NEW HAMPSHIRE 29: In Waco, Texas, NaLyssa Smith and preseason AP All-America post Lauren Cox had double-doubles for Baylor as the defending national champion Lady Bears opened the season with a win over New Hampshire.
No. 4 MARYLAND 119, WAGNER 56: In College Park, Md., Maryland outplayed overmatched Wagner in the season opener, with the Terrapins falling two points shy of tying their all-time scoring record. Kaila Charles, Shakira Austin and Ashley Owusu each had 18 points for Maryland.
No. 20 ARIZONA STATE 87, AIR FORCE 56: In Tempe, Ariz., Jamie Ruden scored 14 points, Ja’Tavia Tapley had 11 points and eight rebounds as Arizona State beat Air Force.
Kamri Heath ledd Air Force with 16 points, and Emily Conroe added 12 points and eight rebounds.