BAYLOR’S DEFENSE SMOTHERS ’NOVA
James Akinjo had 16 points with seven rebounds and second-ranked Baylor defensively dominated No. 6 Villanova 57-36 on Sunday, a victory that’s likely to put the defending national champion Bears in the top spot in the new poll.
No. 2 No. 6
The Bears (9-0) never trailed in their first nonconference home game ever against a top-six opponent, this one a rematch of an NCAA Sweet 16 game last March in Indianapolis. This Big East/Big 12 Battle matchup featured the teams that won three of the last five NCAA titles.
Villanova (7-3) shot only 22 percent (12 of 54) and had several extended scoring droughts while being held to its fewest points in 689 games under coach Jay Wright, who is in his 21st season.
“We’re a pretty good shooting team. I really chalk up our missed shots to their defense,” Wright said, describing the Bears as physical, tough and quick.
Adam Flagler had 10 points as Baylor, which won its 15th game in a row dating to last season, shot 39 percent (22 of 56) and was held under 69 points for the first time this season. Jeremy Sochan had nine points and 10 rebounds before fouling out.
Justin Moore had 15 points for the Wildcats.
No. 1 Purdue 82, North Carolina State 72 (OT): Trevion Williams had a season-high 22 points to go with 12 rebounds and a careerbest nine assists to help Purdue rally past North Carolina State in overtime in the Basketball Hall of Fame Invitational in New York.
Jaden Ivey added 22 points for the Boilermakers (9-1), who had to rally from 13 down midway through the second half. Purdue never led in regulation, taking its first lead Sasha Stefanovic’s 3-pointer 15 seconds into the extra period.
Stefanovic also hit a driving layup with 21.5 seconds left to force the overtime, ultimately helping Purdue bounce back from a last-second loss at Rutgers in the program’s first-ever week atop the AP Top 25.
Freshman Terquavion Smith scored a season-high 21 points for the Wolfpack (7-3), who had a prime chance to earn the program’s first win against a top-ranked opponent in nearly nine years.
No. 16 USC 73, Long Beach State 62: Isaiah Mobley had 21 points and 12 rebounds, and host USC (10-0) pulled away at the beginning of the second half on its way to beating Long Beach State (3-7).
No. 17 Iowa State 47, Jackson State 37: T.J. Otzelberger became the first Iowa State coach to win his first 10 games with the team, guiding the Cyclones past Jackson State (2-7).
Mar yland 70, No. 20 Florida 68: Donta Scott scored on a leaning shot in the post with 16.8 seconds left, Florida (7-3) missed its final-play 3-pointer and Maryland (6-4) beat the Gators in the Basketball Hall of Fame Invitational.
No. 23 Seton Hall 77, Rutgers 63: Bryce Aiken scored 22 points and Jared Rhoden had 16 points and nine rebounds to lead host Seton Hall past Rutgers in the Garden State Hardwood Classic.
West
Stanford 72, Oregon 69:
Jaiden Delaire scored 20 points, including a 3-pointer as time expired, Harrison Ingram had 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists and host Stanford (5-3, 1-1 Pac-12) gave up a 14-point lead before beating Oregon (5-5, 0-2).
UTEP 77, New Mexico 69:
Behind a 16-1 run over the first eight minutes of the second half, Texas-El Paso (6-5) built a big lead over New Mexico (5-4).
Saturday’s late results USD 84, Cal Lutheran 55:
With three starters and their sixth man out with injuries, the host Toreros got a big boost from freshman Wayne McKinney III and Georgetown transfer TJ Berger.
McKinney matched his career high set in the last game against Cal Poly with 17 points. Berger scored a career-high 13.
McKinney and Berger were a combined 7 of 14 on 3s. Coach Sam Scholl didn’t care that they came against a Division III opponent.
“They were knocking down shots,” he said. “They were doing it in a game, with the lights on, people in the stands, at game speed.”
No. 9 Alabama 83, No. 14 Houston 82: JD Davison’s putback dunk with 33 seconds left and a final defensive stop gave host Alabama (8-1) a victory over Houston (8-2).