ALABAMA CLINCHES SEC CROWN
Alabama got to cut down the nets and celebrate a Southeastern Conference title, but only after staging a big comeback and forcing overtime.
No. 2 Alabama 90, Auburn 85 (OT)
Not to mention everything else swirling around the program.
Jahvon Quinerly scored 24 points, Brandon Miller made the clinching free throws with six seconds left and No. 2 Alabama rallied from a 17-point deficit before beating archrival Auburn 90-85 in overtime Wednesday night.
The host Crimson Tide (26-4, 16-1) clinched outright their second regular-season SEC title in three years but continued to live on the edge over a troubling eight days that included courtroom revelations in a capital murder trial.
“Listen, I just couldn’t be more proud of this group,” coach Nate Oats said. “Obviously, it’s a heartbreaking situation. That’s never lost on us, but the kids have worked really hard. Winning the SEC is not an easy thing to do . ... It’s a great league.”
Miller rebounded teammate Jaden Bradley’s missed dunk and drew a foul, making both free throws. Noah Clowney had blocked K.D. Johnson’s layup attempt on the other end.
The Tigers (19-11, 9-8), who had three key players foul out, couldn’t close it out after leading almost the entire way in regulation. They were up 17 with under 11 minutes left.
No. 22 TCU 75, No. 9 Texas 73:
Damion Baugh scored 24 points and Emanuel Miller added 20 as the host Horned Frogs (20-10, 9-8 Big 12) held off Texas (22-8, 11-6).
No. 10 Gonzaga 104, Chicago State 65: The Zags (26-5) had an easy time in a nonconference game against Chicago State (11-19) behind 17 points from Drew Timme.
No. 11 Kansas State 85, Oklahoma 69: Desi Sills flirted with a triple-double in his Bramlage Coliseum farewell and Kansas State (23-7, 11-6 Big 12) held on to beat visiting Oklahoma (14-16, 4-13).
No. 14 UConn 88, DePaul 59:
Adama Sanogo scored 26 points to lead five UConn (23-7, 12-7 Big East) players in double figures and the Huskies closed out their home schedule with an easy win over visiting DePaul, (9-21, 3-16).
No. 19 Xavier 94, No. 20 Providence 89: Souley Boum scored a season-high 33 points to help Xavier (22-8, 14-5) beat host Providence (21-9, 13-6) and clinch the No. 2 seed in the Big East Tournament.
Ohio State 73, No. 21 Maryland 62: Felix Okpara had 12 points and 12 rebounds to help Ohio State (1317, 5-14 Big Ten) finish its home schedule with a win over Maryland (20-10, 11-8).
Vanderbilt 68, No. 23 Kentucky 66: Jordan Wright hit a go-ahead fall-away jumper in the lane with 2.6 seconds remaining to finish with 23 points, and Vanderbilt (1713, 10-7 SEC) topped Kentucky (2010, 11-6) for its first win at Rupp Arena since January 2007.
Notre Dame 88, No. 25 Pittsburgh 81: Marcus Hammond and Cormac Ryan each scored 20 points as Notre Dame (11-19, 3-16 Atlantic Coast Conference) beat Pittsburgh (21-9, 14-5).
Notable
UC San Diego’s men’s basketball team canceled the final two games of the season on Wednesday because what it says are COVIDrelated health and safety protocols. The program offered few other details, citing privacy laws. The Tritons were scheduled to host Cal Poly tonight for Senior Night, then close the season Saturday at Cal State Fullerton.