Associated Press
From around college basketball…
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Draymond Green scored a career-high 26 points, and Kalin Lucas made three free throws in the final minute of overtime to lift Michigan State to a much-needed 64-61 victory over No. 20 Wisconsin on Tuesday night.
The Spartans, who have been in a funk for most of the season, scored the final nine points of regulation to tie the game at 53, then outlasted the Badgers (12-4, 2-2 Big Ten) in the extra session. Lucas put Michigan State (11-5, 3-1) up by one with a free throw with 30.2 seconds remaining, and Wisconsin’s Jordan Taylor then missed from near the top of the key.
Lucas, who finished with 17 points, added two free throws with 2.2 seconds left, and Taylor missed a desperation shot from midcourt.
Taylor scored 21 points for Wisconsin.
After turning the ball over only 13 times in its first three Big Ten games, Wisconsin gave it away 11 times against the Spartans — including a couple of big mistakes as the Badgers were trying to protect their lead.
Trailing 53-48 with just over a minute remaining, the Spartans came up with a steal near midcourt that led to a breakaway dunk by Keith Appling. Wisconsin lost the ball again on the following inbounds, and Korie Lucious made a 3-pointer to tie it with 47.2 seconds remaining.
The Badgers looked completely out of sorts on their next possession, which ended when Tim Jarmusz shot an air ball from the corner at the end of the shot clock. Lucas had a chance to win it at the other end, but he decided to go up with his right hand, and Keaton Nankivil was able to block his layup from behind.
Green scored Michigan State’s first eight points of overtime, including a free throw that put the Spartans ahead 61-60 with 1:16 left. Taylor tied it with a free throw with 59.1 seconds left, but Lucas drew a foul driving along the baseline and put Michigan State ahead to stay
UConn 67, Rutgers 53
HARTFORD, Conn. — Halfway through the season, Connecticut continues to exceed even its own expectations.
Alex Oriakhi had 17 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots and the 10th-ranked Huskies returned to Big East play with a 67-53 victory over Rutgers on Tuesday night.
Kemba Walker finished with 18 points. The junior guard has led UConn in scoring in every game this season.
The Huskies (13-2, 2-2) were picked by the conference’s coaches to finish 10th in the league this season and have five freshmen who see significant playing time. But they have already beaten Michigan State, No. 13 Kentucky and were coming off an 82-81 overtime win at No. 12 Texas on Saturday.
Florida 71, Tennessee 75, OT
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Alex Tyus scored 18 points and turned a steal into a dunk in overtime that helped Florida to an 81-75 victory over Tennessee on Tuesday night.
Tennessee scored the last four points in regulation. A layup by Brian Williams with 1:40 left tied the game at 68, and both teams missed two shots before time expired.
Florida (13-3, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) opened the overtime with a 3-pointer from Kenny Boynton, who had 17 points, and the Gators scored the first six points in the extra frame.
Tennessee cut the margin to 79-75 on a 3-pointer by Cameron Tatum with 23 seconds left, but the Vols wouldn’t hit another shot as the Gators made four free throws to close it out.
BYU 104, Utah 79
SALT LAKE CITY — Jimmer Fredettte scored 47 points and Jackson Emery added 20 points and set BYU’s career steals record Tuesday night as the 11th-ranked Cougars beat Utah 104-79 to extend their winning streak to seven games.
BYU (17-1, 3-0 Mountain West) has won four straight and eight of the last nine against Utah.
It was the second game Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl missed because of an eight-game SEC suspension. The Vols have lost both without him.
Tatum led Tennessee (10-6, 0-2) with 21 points.
The Associated Press
01/11/11 23:36