PEPPERDINE (4-5) 70No. 1 GONZAGA (13-0) 95 Gonzaga went on a 14-4 run during the middle of the second half to create separation from a pesky Pepperdine team. The Bulldogs went from a 56-48 advantage to a 70-52 lead, one which grew steadily for the remainder of the game. Pepperdine only trailed by four at halftime behind a balanced scoring attack. Robbie Heath led the attack … [Read more...] about Top 25 Wrap: Gonzaga’s four big scorers power team past Pepperdine
Syracuse drops back-and-forth battle at North Carolina
By PAUL CIFONELLI In a game where it seemed neither team could get into a sustainable rhythm, North Carolina flexed its muscle en route to an 81-75 home win over Syracuse. The Tar Heels outrebounded the Orange 48-31, which allowed them to win despite shooting just 39.7 percent (29-for-73) from the field. North Carolina grabbed 24 offensive and 24 defensive boards in the game. … [Read more...] about Syracuse drops back-and-forth battle at North Carolina
Rivalry renewed: Syracuse tops Georgetown, 74-69
By PAUL CIFONELLI Basketball is said to be a game of runs. Syracuse proved that to be true against rival Georgetown, as the Orange used a 22-6 run to end the first half to propel them to a 74-69 victory. Joe Girard III led that charge with seven points. Five other Syracuse players added to the run, which lasted the final 6:38 of the opening period. Syracuse went into halftime … [Read more...] about Rivalry renewed: Syracuse tops Georgetown, 74-69
Top 25 Wrap: Gonzaga rolls BYU; Wisconsin survives Indiana in 2OT
BYU (9-3) 69No. 1 GONZAGA (11-0) 86 Gonzaga got out to a 23-2 lead to start the game and never looked back as the Bulldogs collected their 10th double-digit win of the season. Of Gonzaga's 11 wins, four have come against top 20 teams. Corey Kispert and Drew Timme led the initial surge, with Kispert scoring seven and Timme eight in the run. The Bulldogs held BYU to 1-for-10 … [Read more...] about Top 25 Wrap: Gonzaga rolls BYU; Wisconsin survives Indiana in 2OT
Syracuse blows 18-point lead, falls to Pittsburgh
By PAUL CIFONELLI Pittsburgh only led for 8.2 seconds in its game at Syracuse, but those 8.2 seconds were the final ones. Au'diese Toney tipped in a missed three by Ithiel Horton that gave Panthers a 61-60 lead and sealed a comeback victory. The Panthers made two separate comebacks in the contest, with Pittsburgh trailing by 16 with 11 minutes left in the game. Syracuse … [Read more...] about Syracuse blows 18-point lead, falls to Pittsburgh