UTSA ends skid at Rice’s expense

John Buggs III scored 23 points as UTSA ended an 11-game skid by beating Rice 84-79 on Thursday night at Tudor Fieldhouse.

The win was the first for the Roadrunners (8-19, 2-14 Conference USA) since Jan. 5 and the first of the season on the road, coming as an 11½-point underdog against the Owls (16-10, 7-8).

UTSA led by as many as 13 points with 3:31 to play before the Owls went on a 13-2 run to trim the margin to 79-77 in the final minute. But Japhet Medor hit fopur free throws in the final 15 seconds to help the Roadrunners hold on.

Mekhi Mason led the way for the Owls with 20 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Rice also got 15 points each from Cameron Sheffield and Quincy Olivari.

LAMAR 91, HCU 75

Nate Calmese’s 32 points led the Cardinals to a win in Beaumont.

Calmese went 11-of-17 with four 3-pointers for Lamar (9-18, 5-10 Southland Conference). Terry Anderson added 24 points, eight rebounds and three steals.

The Huskies (8-19, 5-9) were led by Maks Klanjscek with 21 points.

MARYLAND 68 NO. 3 PURDUE 54

Jahmir Young scored 20 points as the host Terrapins dealt the Boilermakers their second consecutive defeat.

Maryland (18-8, 9-6 Big Ten) trailed 37-29 before going on a 29-4 burst in the second half to take control.

Zach Edey and Braden Smith both scored 18 points for Purdue (23-4, 12-4).

NO. 4 UCLA 73 STANFORD 64

Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 26 points as the Bruins (22-4, 13-2 Pac-12) rallied in the second half to improve to 14-0 at home this season.

NO. 8 ARIZONA 88, UTAH 62

Kerr Kriisa had 17 points and six assists and Texas transfer Courtney Ramey scored 13 as the host Wildcats (23-4, 12-4 Pac-12) rolled.

NO. 13 GONZAGA 108, LOYOLA MARYMOUNT 65

Julian Strawther scored 28 points as the Bulldogs won in Los Angeles to avenge an earlier loss to the Lions this season.

Loyola Marymount snapped Gonzaga’s 75game home winning streak with a 68-67 victory Jan. 19, but the Lions were no match this time as the Bulldogs (22-5, 11-2 West Coast Conference) scored 68 points before intermission and led by 51 less than six minutes into the second half.

NO. 17 SAINT MARY’S 62 SAN DIEGO 59

Mitchell Saxen had 17 points and 10 rebounds as the visiting Gaels (23-5, 12-1 WCC) stayed a game ahead of Gonzaga in league play

MIDDLE TENNESSEE 74 NO. 25 FAU 70

Camryn Weston scored 16 points as the Blue Raiders got their first win over a ranked opponent since 2016.