Butler, No. 3 Baylor clinch first Big 12 championship
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Jared Butler scored 25 points before fouling out, Davion Mitchell hit the go-ahead basket in overtime, and No. 3 Baylor beat No. 6 West Virginia 94-89 on Tuesday to clinch the Bears’ first Big 12 regular season championship.
Baylor (19-1, 11-1 Big 12) bounced back in a big way from its only loss of the season at No. 13 Kansas on Saturday. Baylor struggled in its two previous games coming off a nearly threeweek layoff because of COVID-19 issues in the program.
After managing just 58 points against the Jayhawks, the Bears maintained their energy and scoring touch until the very end against the Mountaineers (17-7, 10-5).
Baylor coach Scott Drew jumped on Mark Vital’s back and pointed a finger in the air after the title was secure. Butler ran onto the court to hug every teammate in sight.
NO. 4 ILLINOIS 76 NO. 2 MICHIGAN 53
Andre Curbelo scored 11 of his 17 points in the first half, and the Fighting Illini dismantled the host Wolverines with a smothering defensive performance.
Playing again without injured star Ayo Dosunmu, Illinois (19-6, 15-4) kept Michigan (18-2, 13-2) from clinching the Big Ten title and boosted its own chances at a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
NO. 18 TEXAS TECH 69 TCU 49
Kyler Edwards scored 17 of his 20 points in the first half to help the host Red Raiders take control, and Texas Tech rolled to a win over the Horned Frogs.
Texas Tech (16-8, 8-7 Big 12) followed a nine-point home win over No. 15 Texas with another strong effort to answer a seasonworst three-game skid that dropped them below .500 in conference play.
RJ Nembhard scored 10 points to lead TCU (12-11, 5-9).
NO. 5 ALABAMA 70 AUBURN 58
Jaden Shackelford had 23 points, made five 3pointers and helped the host Crimson Tide quash a second-half threat in a win over the rival Tigers.
Shackelford helped Alabama (20-6, 15-2 Southeastern Conference) score 10 consecutive points after Auburn (12-14, 6-11) pulled to within five late.
NO. 12 ARKANSAS 101 SOUTH CAROLINA 73
Moses Moody tied his career high with 28 points, and the Razorbacks (20-5, 12-4 Southeastern Conference) routed the host Gamecocks for their 10th consecutive SEC victory.
NO. 23 PURDUE 73 NO. 25 WISCONSIN 69
Freshman Zach Edey scored a career-high 21 points, and Jaden Ivey had 18 to help the Boilermakers (17-8, 12-6 Big Ten) hold on for a win over the visiting Badgers (16-10, 10-9).
Women CINCINNATI 65 HOUSTON 57
Laila Blair had 19 points, but her efforts alone could not prevent the Cougars (15-6, 12-5 American Athletic Conference) from falling to the visiting Bearcats.