No. 5 ’Nova super in smashing No. 17 Vols
The game between Villanova and Tennessee was billed as a classic matchup between the Wildcats veteran leader, Collin Gillespie, and the Volunteers’ young star-ofthe-future, Kennedy Chandler. This one went to the old man. Gillespie, Jermaine Samuels, and Brandon Slater each scored 14 points as No. 5 Villanova eased to a 71-53 win over No. 17 Tennessee on Saturday in the opening round of the Hall of Fame Tip-Off tournament in Uncasville, Conn.
Justin Moore added 13 points for the Wildcats (3-1), who had a 20point lead at halftime.
Santiago Vescovi scored 23 points for Tennessee (2-1), which had opened the season with lopsided wins over Tennessee-Martin and East Tennessee. He was the only Volunteer to get to double figures. Chandler was held to six points on 1-of-9 shooting.
“When you’re that guy [Gillespie] they are coming at every night and you’re trying to just lead your team and not get into a oneon-one, that’s a hard thing to do,” Villanova coach Jay Wright said.
Purdue 93, North Carolina 84
Earlier in the Hall of Fame TipOff, Sasha Stefanovic scored 23 points and Jaden Ivey put up 22 points to go along with his 10 rebounds as No. 6 Purdue (4-0) beat the No. 18 Tar Heels (3-1) in the first round of the tournament.
Trevion Williams added 20 points for Purdue (4-0), which has scored at least 90 points in all four of its games this season.
Connecticut 87, Binghamton 63
In Hartford, Conn., Tyrese Martin had 15 points and 11 rebounds for No. 23 UConn, which beat Binghamton.
Adama Sanogo scored 12 points for the Huskies (4-0). Jordan Hawkins had 11, and Andre Jackson finished with nine points and eight rebounds.
Tyler Bertram led Binghamton (1-3) with 15 points. Ogheneyole Akuwovo scored 12.
Texas 79, San Jose State 45
In Austin, Texas, Timmy Allen scored 17 points, and the No. 8 Longhorns (3-1) defeated San Jose (1-3).
Baylor 86, Stanford 48
In Waco, Texas, LJ Cryer scored 21 points and James Akinjo had 11 points with a career high-tying 11 assists, leading No. 9 Baylor past Stanford.
The Bears (4-0) forced 22 turnovers and outscored Stanford (3-2) 28-6 in points off turnovers.
Louisville 73, Detroit Mercy 67
In Louisville, Ky., Noah Locke hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:17 remaining for 16 points, Jerrod West added three free throws in the final minute and the Cardinals (3-1) forced a couple of late turnovers to escape Detroit Mercy (0-4).
Monmouth 87, St. Joseph’s 75
In Philadelphia, former Seton Hall guard Shavar Reynolds scored 25 points and Marcus McClary added 24 as the Hawks (3-1) cruised past Saint Joseph’s (2-2).
Columbia 87, Mount Saint Vincent 62
In Manhattan, Liam Murphy had 26 points as the Lions (2-2) easily turned away the Dolphins (1-3).