No. 4 Illinois makes statement, drubs No. 2 Michigan
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Trent Frazier, Andre Curbelo and No. 4 Illinois arrived at Crisler Center ready to make a point.
“We’re the hardest-playing team in the countr y. That’s our statement,” Frazier said. “Even without our best player, we’ve got a lot of guys on this team.” Duly noted.
Frazier led the way with 22 points, Curbelo scored 11 of his 17 in the first half, and the Illini dismantled No. 2 Michigan with a smothering defensive performance, routing the Wolverines 76-53 on Tuesday night.
Kofi Cockburn added 12 points for Illinois. Playing again without injured star Ayo Dosunmu, the Illini (19-6, 15-4 Big Ten) kept Michigan from clinching the conference title and boosted their own chances at a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
No. 3 Baylor 94,
No. 6 West Virginia 89
MORGANTOWN, W.VA. — Jared Butler scored 25 points before fouling out, Davion Mitchell hit the goahead basket in overtime and No. 3 Baylor beat No. 6 West Virginia to clinch the Bears’ first Big 12 regular season championship.
Baylor (19-1, 11-1 Big 12) bounced back in a big way from its only loss of the season at No. 13 Kansas on Saturday. Baylor struggled in its two previous games coming off a nearly threeweek layof f because of COVID-19 issues in the program.
No. 12 Arkansas 101, South Carolina 73
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Moses Moody tied his career high with 28 points and No. 12 Arkansas won its 10th straight in the Southeastern Conference with a victor y over South Carolina.
The Razorbacks (20-5, 12-4 SEC) did it with the long ball, hitting 15 3-pointers to continue its longest league win streak to match the 1994 national champions who won their last 10 SEC regular-season games that year.
No. 18 Texas Tech 68, TCU49
LUBBOCK, Texas — Kyler Edwards scored 17 of his 20 points in the first half to help No. 18 Texas Tech take control, and the Red Raiders rolled to a victor y over TCU.
The Red Raiders (16-8, 8-7 Big 12) followed a ninepoint home victor y over No. 15 Texas with another strong effort to answer a season-worst three-game losing streak that dropped them below .500 in conference play.
No. 5 Alabama 70, Auburn 58
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Jaden Shackelford scored 23 points, made five 3-pointers and helped No. 5 Alabama quash a secondhalf threat in a victor y over rival Auburn.
Shackelford helped the Crimson Tide (20-6, 15-2 Southeastern Conference) score 10 straight points after the Tigers (12-14, 6-11) pulled to within five late.
No. 15 Texas 81, Iowa State 67
AMES, Iowa — Kai Jones came of f the bench to score a season-high 17 points and lead four Texas players in double figures, and the 15th-ranked Longhorns pulled away from Iowa State early in a win.
Texas (15-7, 9-6 Big 12) led for all but 22 seconds, beating the Cyclones for the eighth time in 10 meetings. Iowa State (2-19, 0-16) was led by Jalen Colemanlands, who scored 22 points.
No. 23 Purdue 73, No. 25 Wisconsin 69
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Freshman Zach Edey scored a career-high 21 points and Jaden Ivey added 18 to help No. 23 Purdue hold on for a victor y over No. 25 Wisconsin.
The Boilermakers (17-8, 12-6 Big Ten) have won four straight and five of their last six.
Women
No. 15 S. Florida 65, Central Florida 62
TAMPA, Fla. — Elisa Pinzan scored 18 points with eight assists, Bethy Mununga had 11 points and 13 rebounds, and No. 15 South Florida beat Central Florida for its first American Athletic Conference regular-season title.
Pinzan sank a 3-pointer for a 58-48 lead with 1:59 remaining and she made her next four free throws for another 10-point lead with 57 seconds left.
No. 24 Rutgers 74, Penn State 56
PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Arella Guirantes scored 21 points with seven assists, Tekia Mack had 12 points and 12 rebounds, and Rutgers beat Penn State.
Rutgers (13-3, 9-3 Big Ten) has won eight conference games in a row for the first time since the 2004-05 season — including holding seven straight opponents under 60 points.