Sports

By AARON BRACY Associated Press VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) — Zach Freemantle scored 29 points, including eight in a row during a crucial stretch late in the second half, to lead No. 18 Xavier to its ninth straight victory, 88-80 over Villanova. Souley Boum added 22 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for the Musketeers (13-3,

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Led by Miles Norris’ 16 points, the UCSB Gauchos defeated the Cal Poly Mustangs 62-57 on Saturday night. The Gauchos are now 12-2 with the victory and the Mustangs dropped to 7-9.

By PETE IACOBELLI AP Sports Writer COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Olivier Nkamhoua scored a season-high 21 points on 10-of-10 shooting as No. 8 Tennessee used quick start to blow out South Carolina 85-42. Nkamhoua hit all five of his attempts in Tuesday night’s win over Mississippi State and continued his perfect run against the Gamecocks.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Chase Hunter scored 17 points, Hunter Tyson and PJ Hall added double-doubles and Clemson rallied late to beat Pittsburgh 75-74 in a showdown for the top spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Tigers (13-3, 5-0), who have won five straight and are off to their best start since 1996-97, are the

NEW YORK — Led by Josh Cohen’s 27 points, the Saint Francis (Pa.) Red Flash defeated the Wagner Seahawks 68-63 on Saturday night. The Red Flash are now 6-10 on the season, while the Seahawks fell to 8-7.

By The Associated Press GREENSBORO, N.C. — Led by Logan Dye’s 17 points, the Samford Bulldogs defeated the UNC Greensboro Spartans 70-68. The Bulldogs are now 10-7 with the win and the Spartans fell to 9-8.

By The Associated Press FARGO, N.D. — Led by Jacari White’s 18 points, the North Dakota State Bison defeated the South Dakota Coyotes 73-61. The Bison improved to 6-11 with the victory and the Coyotes fell to 8-9.

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Led by Kentrell Pullian’s 19 points, the Milwaukee Panthers defeated the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons 74-70 on Saturday night. The Panthers improved to 11-5 with the win and the Mastodons fell to 11-6.

STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Will McNair Jr. scored a season-high 13 points, Tolu Smith added 12 and Mississippi State warmed up in the second half to beat Mississippi 64-54 on Saturday. After neither team reached 32% in the first half, the Bulldogs (12-3, 1-2 SEC) shot 50% in the second, outscoring the Rebels (8-7, 0-3)

By STEFAN STEVENSON Associated Press FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Gabe Kalscheur scored 15 points, including a 3-pointer with 1.3 seconds remaining, and No. 25 Iowa State beat No. 17 TCU 69-67 on Saturday. Kalscheur’s game-winner from way past the arc came just after TCU had just claimed the lead for the first time since

MILWAUKEE — Led by Kam Jones’ 17 points, the Marquette Golden Eagles defeated the Georgetown Hoyas 95-73 on Saturday. The Golden Eagles moved to 13-4 with the victory and the Hoyas dropped to 5-12, also extending their Big East Conference record losing streak to 26.

By KEN POWTAK Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — Dariq Whitehead scored 18 points, Kyle Filipowski hit two clutch free throws and No. 16 Duke rebounded from a miserable loss by holding off Boston College for a 65-64 victory on Saturday. Filipowski finished with 15 points and nine rebounds and Mark Mitchell chipped in with 14

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — Julian Larry’s 18 points helped Indiana State defeat UIC 80-60. Larry added five assists and three steals for the Sycamores. Courvoisier McCauley added 17 points and 11 rebounds. Robbie Avila finished 6 of 8 from the floor to score 14 points. Filip Skobalj led the Flames in scoring, finishing with 12

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — Led by John Lovelace Jr.’s 16 points, the Youngstown State Penguins defeated the IUPUI Jaguars 105-74 on Saturday. The Penguins are now 12-5 on the season, while the Jaguars fell to 3-13.

By CLIFF BRUNT AP Sports Writer STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — Marcus Carr scored 12 points to help No. 6 Texas defeat Oklahoma State 56-46 in the Longhorns’ first game since coach Chris Beard was fired. Beard faces a felony domestic family violence charge stemming from a Dec. 12 incident involving his fiancée. Texas improved to

By The Associated Press SOUTH EASTON, Mass. — Led by Max Zegarowski’s 16 points, the Stonehill Skyhawks defeated the Central Connecticut Blue Devils 51-49 on Saturday. The Skyhawks are now 7-11 on the season, while the Blue Devils dropped to 4-14.

By KATIE WINDHAM Associated Press TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama’s star freshman Brandon Miller had 19 points and seven rebounds in front of NBA scouts and a capacity crowd for the No. 7 Crimson Tide, who dominated Kentucky 78-52 on Saturday. Alabama (13-2, 3-0 Southeastern Conference) had its largest margin of victory over Kentucky in