No. 1 Baylor, No. 2 Gonzaga lose
Udoka Azubuike and No. 3 Kansas returned the favor in a Big 12 showdown that lived up to the hype.
The Jayhawks share the Big 12 lead again, and could return to the No. 1 spot in the AP poll, as well.
Azubuike had 23 points and a career-high 19 rebounds in a 64-61 win Saturday at Baylor, ending the Bears’ 23-game winning streak and likely ending the Bears’ five-week run as the nation’s No. 1 team.
“You could just feel the buzz. It was an exciting time and a huge win,” Jayhawks guard Devon Dotson said. “We’re a solid team that can make a run in late, late March. We’re going to enjoy this win, but build off it for sure.”
Kansas (24-3, 13-1 Big 12) has won 12 in a row since its first-ever home loss to Baylor (24-2, 13-1) on Jan. 11. The Jayhawks had a 10-point lead with 61⁄2 minutes left in the rematch before holding off Baylor’s late charge.
“I liked the first game against Kansas better than this one,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said. “For us, the goal at the beginning of the year wasn’t to sweep Kansas. The goal was to win a Big 12 championship. Their goal is to win a Big 12 championship.”
at No. 23 Brigham Young 91, No. 2 Gonzaga 78: Yoeli Childs scored 28 points to help the Cougars upset Gonzaga (27-2, 13-1) to end the Bulldogs’ 19-game winning streak.
Jake Toolson added 17 points and T.J. Haws had 16 points. BYU (23-7, 12-3 WCC) never trailed after halftime en route to winning its eighth straight game.
at No. 5 Dayton 80,
Duquesne 70: Obi Toppin had 28 points as the Flyers (25-2, 14-0 Atlantic 10) won their 16th game in a row.
Jalen Crutcher added 17 points and five assists for the Flyers who have yet to lose in regulation this season. Sincere Carry had 21 points and six assists for Duquesne (18-8, 8-6).
at No. 6 Duke 77, Virginia
Tech 64: Cassius Stanley scored 21 points and made a season-high five three-pointers to help the Blue Devils (23-4, 13-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) beat the Hokies (1512, 6-10).
No. 8 Florida State 67, at North Carolina State 61: M.J. Walker scored all 12 of his points after halftime to help the Seminoles (23-4, 13-3 ACC) take control in the second half and beat the Wofpack (17-10, 8-8).
at No. 10 Kentucky 65, Florida 59: Immanuel Quickley scored a career-high 26 points, including 15 of the Wildcats’ 17 during a decisive second-half stretch as they won their sixth in a row.
Tyrese Maxey had 13 points for first-place Kentucky (22-5, 12-2 Southeastern Conference), which took a three-game lead over Florida (17-10, 9-5).
at No. 11 Louisville 72, North Carolina 55: Jordan Nwora scored 18 points as the Cardinals (23-5, 14-3 ACC) won their second straight. Nwora added 11 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the season. Malik Williams added 17 points and nine rebounds. The Tar Heels (10-17, 3-13) lost their seventh straight.
No. 12 Villanova 64, at Xavier 55: Saddiq Bey scored 22 points and the Wildcats (21-6, 10-4 Big East) extended its late-February surge, beating the Musketeers (17-10, 6-8) for their fourth straight win.
The Wildcats won three road games during the streak, with victories at Temple, DePaul and Xavier.
at No. 13 Auburn 73, Tennessee 66: Samir Doughty scored 22 points and the Tigers (23-4, 10-4 Southeastern Conference) rallied from a 17point deficit in the second half to beat the Volunteers (15-12, 7-7) in a game marred by an ugly incident involving a fan.
A student was ejected from the game after directing a derogatory comment toward Tennessee’s Santiago Vescovi and will face a disciplinary hearing, an Auburn official said. The fan was overheard on TV calling out, “Go back to Uruguay! This is America!”
at Texas Christian 67, No. 17 West Virginia 60 (OT): Kevin Samuel scored six of his 19 points in overtime and the Horned Frogs (15-12, 6-8) extended the Mountaineers’ Big 12 road woes.
Derek Culver had 18 points and 12 rebounds, and Taz Sherman scored 16 points for West Virginia (19-8, 7-7). at Providence 84, No. 19 Marquette 72: Luwane Pipkins
scored 24 points and David Duke had 15 to lead Providence (16-12, 9-6 Big East) past the Golden Eagles, the Friars’ fourth straight victory over a ranked team. Markus Howard scored 38 points for Marquette (17-9, 7-7), which lost its third straight game.
at Memphis 60, No. 22
Houston 59: Precious Achiuwa scored 10 points, including the go-ahead free throw with 28.2 seconds left, and the Tigers (19-8, 8-6 American Athletic Conference) beat the Cougars (21-7, 11-4).