VOLS NEED OT TO ESCAPE
A missed shot a month ago played a major role in Santiago Vescovi draining three clutch ones Wednesday night.
The junior guard hit two critical 3-pointers in regulation and another in overtime to rally No. 18 Tennessee to a 66-60 win over Mississippi.
“I’ve been confident in those shots,” he said.
Vescovi led the Volunteers (10-3, 1-1) with 17 points in a Southeastern Conference struggle. Tennessee never led in regulation but outscored Ole Miss 15-9 in the extra period.
“Give Vescovi credit,” said Rebels coach Kermit Davis. “He made a couple really big plays.”
Tennessee 66, Mississippi 60 (OT)
No. 18
Vescovi said he missed a shot Dec. 7 in a five-point overtime loss to Texas Tech that really bothered him. But one of Tennessee’s assistant coaches told him every player has to go through moments at rock bottom.
“(Those words) come to the back of my mind,” Vescovi said. “If (the shot) doesn’t go in, stay heads up.”
Tye Fagan had 23 points to lead the Rebels (8-5, 0-1). Down five players — two injured and three in COVID-19 protocol — Mississippi started strong but couldn’t hang on.
The Rebels led 8-0 before Tennessee finally scored 7:40 into the game. The Volunteers missed their first 10 shots and opened 1 for 15 from the field. Ole Miss led by as many as 12 in the first half.
Mississippi committed 27 turnovers.
No. 10 Michigan State 79, Nebraska 67: Freshman guard Max Christie scored a season-high 21 points and Gabe Brown added 14 to help host Michigan State (13-2, 4-0 Big Ten) pull away and beat Nebraska (6-9, 0-4) for its eighth victory in a row.
No. 11 Iowa State 51, No. 25 Texas Tech 47: Izaiah Brockington’s four-point play with 1:52 left propelled host Iowa State (13-1, 1-1 Big 12) past Texas Tech (10-3, 0-1).
No. 12 Houston 83, South
Florida 66: Josh Carlton scored a career-high 30 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead visiting Houston (13-2, 2-0 American Athletic Conference) past South Florida (5-8, 0-1). Carlton’s previous best was 21 points for UConn on March 7, 2019, against Temple.
No. 15 Alabama 83, Florida 70: Jahvon Quinerly and Juwan Gary scored 19 points apiece and Alabama (11-3, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) opened the second half against host Florida (9-4, 0-1) with a 22-4 run.
No. 19 Villanova 75, Creighton 41: Justin Moore scored 22 points and Jermaine Samuels added 18 as Villanova (10-4, 3-1 Big East) routed visiting Creighton (10-4, 2-1).