From staff and wire reports

RALEIGH — Benedict used a strong second half to defeat Livingstone, 82-73, in men’s college basketball action here Thursday night.

The game was part of the Shaw University Classic, as the Blue Bears (2-8) fell to Claflin on Wednesday and have now lost six in a row.

Livingstone led at halftime, 40-38, but scored just 33 second-half points. Benedict (5-5) shot 50 percent from the floor in the second half, as the Tigers’ Quayshun Hawkins scored 19 of his game-high 29 points.

David Duncan led the Blue Bears with 18 points and seven rebounds. Emarri Bailey followed with 17 points and Roger Ray added 11. Jimmy Wilson led the Livingstone rebounding with 10 boards.

Benedict made 10 of 28 3-point attempts, including 5-of-11 from Hawkins.

Jaylin Gilbert followed Hawkins with 18 points for the Tigers.

Livingstone finally will have its home opener on Saturday, hosting Paine (Ga.) at 1 p.m. at New Trent Gym.

BENEDICT (82) — Spencer 12, Udume 4, Robin 4, Frost 4, Prichard 3, Hawkins 29, Gilbert 18, Morris 6, Scott 2.

LIVINGSTONE (73) — Duncan 18, Ray 11, Wilson 8, Belfield 8, McClendon 6, Bailey 17, Burhannon 5, Lowe, Jinad.

Benedict           38    44  — 82

Livingstone       40    33  — 73

Women’s hoops

Morehead State’s Shay Steele (West Rowan) had 14 points and two blocks in Thursday’s 81-71 win against Austin Peay.

Prep hoops

Central Cabarrus’  girls won 74-51 against East Lincoln on Thursday.

Mahaley Holit led the Vikings (12-2) with 25 points. Kasey Rowdon and Elanna Peay scored 12 each.

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Hickory Ridge’s girls stayed undefeated with a 75-42 win against Harding on Thursday.

Gabby Smith scored 20 for the Ragin’ Bulls (12-0). Jiera Shears had 13.

Parks and Rec

Salisbury Parks and Recreation Department is holding registration for its coed (ages 5-6) and girls (ages 7-15) basketball leagues.  Cost is $30 per participant.  Registration runs through Jan. 14, at Hall Gym or online at www.salisburync.gov/play.  For more information, call 704-638-5289.

Men’s hoops

SPOKANE, Wash. — Nigel Williams-Goss and Przemek Karnowski each scored 16 points as No. 7 Gonzaga beat short-handed Pepperdine 92-62 on Thursday night, extending the best start in program history.

Kentucky 99,  Miss. 76

OXFORD, Miss.  — Malik Monk scored 34 points, Isaiah Briscoe had a triple-double and Kentucky bounced back impressively from a loss at Louisville with a victory over Mississippi in the SEC opener for both teams.

Briscoe added 19 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for the Wildcats (11-2), who led 60-41 at halftime and were never seriously threatened. Edrice Adebayo scored 25 points, primarily on the strength of seven dunks.

Florida 81, Arkansas 72

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.   — Florida guard KeVaughn Allen had a triumphant return to Arkansas, scoring 21 points as the Gators beat the Razorbacks in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams.

Daryl Macon did what he could to keep the Razorbacks close, but Allen drained a 3-pointer nearly every time Florida needed to put down a threat.

Kevarrius Hayes’ dunk and Allen’s 3-pointer made it 63-52 after Arkansas had trimmed the lead to six. After Moses Kingsley cut Florida’s edge to 65-58, Allen drained another 3 with 6:35 left. Florida (10-3) led by double digits until the final 11 seconds.

Macon scored 22 points for Arkansas (11-2). Kingsley had 13 points and 14 rebounds, and Anton Beard scored 10 points.

Beard and Allen each went to North Little Rock High School.

Allen shot 5 of 9 from beyond the arc. Devin Robinson added 17 points for Florida.

Top 25 Capsules

By The Associated Press

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Nigel Williams-Goss and Przemek Karnowski each scored 16 points as No. 7 Gonzaga beat short-handed Pepperdine 92-62 on Thursday night, extending the best start in program history.

Three other players scored in double figures for unbeaten Gonzaga (13-0, 1-0 West Coast Conference).

The Bulldogs held a narrow lead after the first half and did not put away scrappy Pepperdine until midway through the second.

Lamond Murray Jr. scored 19 points for Pepperdine (4-9, 0-1), which has lost eight games in a row and was missing two starters because of injury.

Gonzaga went unbeaten in nonconference play for the first time since joining the NCAA in 1958. The Bulldogs have now won 21 straight conference openers, dating to a loss in 1996.

No. 8 KENTUCKY 99, MISSISSIPPI 76

OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — Malik Monk scored 34 points, Isaiah Briscoe had a triple-double and Kentucky bounced back impressively from a loss at Louisville with a victory over Mississippi in the SEC opener for both teams.

Briscoe added 19 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for the Wildcats (11-2), who led 60-41 at halftime and were never seriously threatened. Edrice Adebayo scored 25 points, primarily on the strength of seven dunks.

Monk finished 11 of 16 from the field, including 5 of 7 from 3-point range, and added six rebounds and three steals. Adebayo was 12 of 19 from the field and blocked three shots.

Sebastian Saiz led the Rebels (9-4) with 23 points and 13 rebounds.

ST. JOHN’S 76, No. 13 BUTLER 73

NEW YORK (AP) — Freshman guard Shamorie Ponds scored 26 points, including four free throws in the final 9.1 seconds, and St. John’s upset Butler in the Big East opener for both teams at Carnesecca Arena.

The Red Storm (7-7), coming off a 33-point win at Syracuse, stayed close with the Bulldogs (11-2) and finally took a lead at 72-71 on a free throw by Malik Ellison with 14.1 seconds left.

Bashir Ahmed added 19 points for the Red Storm.

Kelan Martin of Butler let a shot go from halfcourt at the buzzer and it hit the rim. Tyler Wideman had 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting for the Bulldogs, and Martin scored 13.

No. 25 FLORIDA 81, ARKANSAS 72

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Florida guard KeVaughn Allen had a triumphant return to Arkansas, scoring 21 points as the Gators beat the Razorbacks in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams.

Daryl Macon did what he could to keep the Razorbacks close, but Allen drained a 3-pointer nearly every time Florida needed to put down a threat.

Kevarrius Hayes’ dunk and Allen’s 3-pointer made it 63-52 after Arkansas had trimmed the lead to six. After Moses Kingsley cut Florida’s edge to 65-58, Allen drained another 3 with 6:35 left. Florida (10-3) led by double digits until the final 11 seconds.

Macon scored 22 points for Arkansas (11-2). Kingsley had 13 points and 14 rebounds, and Anton Beard scored 10 points.

Beard and Allen each went to North Little Rock High School.

Allen shot 5 of 9 from beyond the arc. Devin Robinson added 17 points for Florida.